Hungary's President Agrees to Step Down After Parliament Backs Removal

Hungary's President Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down, signing a constitutional amendment that will immediately end his term. The move follows a parliamentary vote earlier this week, driven by Prime Minister Péter Magyar's Tisza party, which secured a significant majority in the April 2026 elections. Sulyok, who was elected in early 2024, was widely perceived as an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The constitutional amendment, which required the president's signature to take effect, cited a "serious loss of confidence" in Sulyok. He had a five-day window to sign the legislation or potentially face impeachment proceedings. While Sulyok complied, he issued a statement expressing that the reform undermined the rule of law in Hungary.

This resignation is part of a broader initiative by the new government to dismantle institutions and appointments made during Orbán's 16 years in power. The amendment also includes provisions for the removal of Constitutional Court judges and introduces term limits for members of parliament. Parliament Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer is expected to assume the role of interim president following Sulyok's departure.