Magyar launches major political overhaul in Hungary, targets sitting president first
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar (photo: Getty Images)
Hungary is launching a large-scale overhaul of its state system, including breaking with years of entrenched control and ending the current president's powers, Prime Minister Péter Magyar says.
Key changes in Amendment 17
The government has officially submitted a proposal to parliament for the 17th amendment to Hungary's Fundamental Law.
According to the prime minister, the move follows broad public consultations involving tens of thousands of citizens.
The sweeping reform package includes 12 key points, among them:
- Limits on lawmakers: Members of parliament would be limited to a maximum of three terms (12 years)
- Changes to the judicial system: Judicial self-governance would be strengthened, and judges would gain the right to recall the heads of the Kúria and the National Judicial Office (OBH)
- Asset oversight: Creation of a National Asset Recovery and Protection Authority to recover illegally appropriated state funds
- Constitutional Court reform: Restoring the body's independence, returning its powers, and introducing a retirement age of 70 for judges.
"We will free Hungary from a system that for decades held the state hostage, looted the nation, and occupied the institutions of the republic," Péter Magyar stressed.
The reform also includes abolishing the Fiscal Council budget veto power, narrowing the scope of cardinal laws (which require a two-thirds majority), and abolishing the independent Parliamentary Guard.
In addition, at the request of citizens, the country will abandon county-naming conventions to avoid building a modern feudalism.
Removal of President Tamás Sulyok
One of the most radical provisions of the amendment is the immediate termination of the mandate of the current Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok. The prime minister accused him of supporting the system of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which dismantled the rule of law.
"The rebuilding of Hungary cannot begin with the same person who remained the most important state figure and contributed to the collapse of the republic. He failed our country when the Orbán government occupied institutions and dispersed state assets," the prime minister said.
It is expected that the new president of Hungary will be elected by parliament this summer, for a five-year term, to end upon the completion of the full constitutional process. Meanwhile, in autumn 2026, the government plans to begin developing an entirely new constitution together with citizens.
Scandals and reforms in Hungary
Notable that a financial scandal recently erupted in Hungary, which could lead to the resignation of Prosecutor General Gábor Bálint Nagy. His dismissal is linked to a high-profile case involving Ukraine's Oschadbank armored cash transport workers.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar noted that the official, appointed during former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's tenure, is expected to step down soon.
At the same time, the new authorities have begun dismantling the previous regime's media system. The Tisza Party has submitted a bill to parliament to enact sweeping reforms to public media, to eliminate political influence, and to make the state press independent.
This reform was one of Magyar's key promises after his victory in the April elections, in which his political force removed Viktor Orbán from power.
