What, exactly, was President Tamás Sulyok’s son, Márton Sulyok, doing aboard the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Falcon aircraft during the President’s 12-day tour of the United States, despite not officially being part of the presidential delegation? The question was raised by Prime Minister Péter Magyar in a Facebook post on Saturday.
Sparse official engagements
The Prime Minister recalled that from 26 February, President Sulyok spent 12 days in the United States on what was described as an “official” visit, financed by hundreds of millions of forints in public funds. According to the post, the presidential delegation alone spent HUF 62.7 million on car hire, while a further HUF 384,224 was reportedly spent on umbrellas. “One wonders what those umbrellas were made of,” the Prime Minister remarked.
All this, he noted, despite the apparent absence of any formal meetings with the US administration, members of Congress, or senators.
Instead, the 12-day programme appears to have consisted largely of engagements with Hungarian diaspora communities, including several early commemorations of 15 March. The Prime Minister added that, much like János Áder’s 2018 visit to the United States, the bulk of President Sulyok’s trip was devoted to sightseeing and museum visits.
Military aircraft and family travel
President Sulyok, accompanied by his wife and son, also visited Southfork Ranch — familiar to many as the fictional home of the Ewing family in the television series Dallas. “We hope they enjoyed it,” the Prime Minister noted pointedly.
Tamás Sulyok’s Facebook post about his meeting with the Hungarian community of Irving, Dallas:
What is known, he added, is that the President’s son travelled aboard the Hungarian military Falcon aircraft on multiple legs: New York to Cleveland, Cleveland to New Orleans, New Orleans to Houston, and Houston to Dallas. He was also present at several of the President’s meetings.
President Sulyok in Cleveland’s Hungarian Roman Catholic church:
“What remains unclear,” the Prime Minister said, “is on what basis he travelled — and who paid for it.”
“President, there is more to come. Shall I continue?” he concluded.
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Threat of removal from office
Earlier on Saturday, the Prime Minister stated that Parliament is expected to adopt the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law on Monday. The President will then have five days to sign it. Should he refuse, removal proceedings may be initiated.
Such proceedings require a two-thirds majority in Parliament — a threshold available to the Tisza party, which secured 141 seats in the 12 April election.
Should the process begin, Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer, aligned with Tisza, would temporarily assume the powers of the presidency. In that capacity, she would be able to sign the constitutional amendment, thereby terminating President Sulyok’s mandate.
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