Prime Minister Péter Magyar has accused Fidesz of attempting to block the entry into force of Hungary’s latest constitutional amendment, claiming the governing party is exerting political influence over the Office of the President and preparing what he described as an unconstitutional manoeuvre.
In a Facebook post published ahead of Monday’s parliamentary vote on the 17th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, Magyar said the legislation marks a key stage in what his government has called Operation Purgatory (“Tisztítótűz”), a programme aimed at dismantling what it describes as the political and economic structures built during Viktor Orbán’s years in power.
According to the prime minister, the amendment would pave the way for the establishment of a new National Office for Asset Recovery and Asset Protection, end what he called the possibility of long-term political monopolies, and allow the replacement of senior officeholders appointed under the previous government.
Claims of pressure on the president
Magyar argued that, under Hungary’s Fundamental Law, the president has five days to sign the constitutional amendment after its adoption by Parliament. He said the president cannot review the substance of a constitutional amendment and may only refer it to the Constitutional Court in the event of procedural or constitutional irregularities.
The prime minister claimed that President Tamás Sulyok had initially been expected to sign the amendment despite the fact that it would ultimately lead to changes affecting his own position. However, Magyar alleged that Fidesz intervened last week and instructed the president not to sign the legislation.
He further claimed that senior Fidesz figures had prepared a draft submission for the president to send to the Constitutional Court in an attempt to delay or prevent the amendment from taking effect. Magyar also alleged that Constitutional Court President Péter Polt was ready to receive such a submission and prevent further progress on the matter.
Warning of possible removal proceedings
The prime minister warned that anyone involved in what he described as an unconstitutional attempt to block the amendment would be held accountable in the future. He added that if President Sulyok fails to sign the constitutional amendment within the deadline set out in the Fundamental Law, Parliament will initiate removal proceedings against him.
According to Magyar, once such proceedings begin, the president would no longer be able to exercise his constitutional powers, allowing the Speaker of Parliament to sign the amendment instead.
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“The ultimate source of power is the Hungarian people”
Magyar concluded by alleging that Fidesz could take further unconstitutional steps in the coming days to prevent the amendment from entering into force. Despite this, he insisted his government would prevail, ending his statement by saying that “the ultimate source of power is the Hungarian people.”
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