A major institutional crisis appears to have erupted within Hungary’s Constitutional Court after seven judges reportedly withdrew from a case initiated by President Tamás Sulyok, forcing the court to remove the matter from its agenda.
According to HVG, Constitutional Court President Péter Polt had scheduled an extraordinary hearing for Monday to consider Sulyok’s constitutional interpretation request. However, following the withdrawal of seven of the court’s 15 judges, the hearing can no longer proceed as planned.
Under Hungarian law, the Constitutional Court’s full bench requires the participation of at least two-thirds of its members to reach decisions, meaning at least 10 judges must be available. After reports of the recusals emerged on Friday, the Constitutional Court confirmed that the case had been removed from its agenda.
Dispute centres on possible constitutional amendments
The controversy stems from a petition submitted by President Sulyok on 11 June concerning potential future constitutional amendments that could be used to remove public office holders. The president argued that constitutional clarification was needed regarding amendments aimed at resolving specific individual situations rather than introducing generally applicable rules.
The issue gained political significance after Prime Minister Péter Magyar indicated that the governing parliamentary majority could seek constitutional changes to remove Sulyok from office if he refused to resign voluntarily. Magyar has repeatedly criticised the president, describing him as a political ally of the previous Fidesz administration.
Reports of unprecedented tensions inside the court
According to Telex, the case generated significant internal disagreement within the Constitutional Court. The publication reported that several judges considered the president’s request problematic because it sought guidance on a hypothetical future scenario rather than the legality of an already adopted constitutional amendment.
Legal experts cited by the outlet argued that the Constitutional Court would effectively be asked to rule in advance on a political conflict that has not yet materialised. Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that some judges viewed their withdrawal as an “institutional emergency brake” intended to prevent the court from becoming involved in future political disputes.
The reported recusals also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as any future constitutional amendments could theoretically affect the mandates of sitting Constitutional Court judges themselves.
Extraordinary hearing cancelled
Reports suggest that an opinion supporting Sulyok’s petition had already been prepared ahead of Monday’s planned hearing. However, following the wave of withdrawals, Péter Polt reportedly cancelled the extraordinary session. The Constitutional Court’s updated schedule no longer includes discussion of the president’s petition.
The court’s next full session is due to take place on 23 June, but Sulyok’s submission is not listed among the items scheduled for consideration.
Presidential office reacts
Responding to the developments, the Sándor Palace said President Sulyok had taken note of the Constitutional Court judges’ decision.
“The President of the Republic has acknowledged the decision of the Constitutional Court judges,” the presidential office told HVG.
The statement added that all substantive information concerning the related legal procedures had already been shared with the public.
Péter Magyar reacts
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar wrote the following on his Facebook page: “Tamás Sulyok’s attempt at a constitutional coup has failed. The constitutional judges have also declared that it is over. Tamás Sulyok and Péter Polt must go.”
Péter Magyar recalled that on Thursday, prominent legal scholars and university professors stated in an open letter that public officials who played a role in propping up the Orbán regime have lost the credibility necessary to restore the democratic rule of law and must therefore step down.
“The President of the Republic sought to stage a constitutional coup and filed a petition with the Constitutional Court aimed at saving his own position and his monthly salary of 6 million forints. The members of the Constitutional Court rejected Tamás Sulyok’s “attempted constitutional coup” and sent a clear message to the President of the Republic,” the Prime Minister stated.
Péter Magyar emphasised: “Nothing like this has happened since 1990. It is completely unprecedented that a significant majority of the Hungarian people, the former president of the Supreme Court, dozens of renowned legal scholars, and now even the constitutional judges are unanimously demanding the president’s resignation,” he said.
“Tamás Sulyok, too, must face the reality that we all already know. The office of President of the Republic and the power it entails do not belong to him, but to the Hungarian nation. It is time to return power to the people. Now that the constitutional coup attempt by the President of the Republic and the President of the Constitutional Court has failed, they have no choice but to resign. It’s over,” Magyar declared.
If you missed it: Battle lines drawn: President Sulyok refuses to resign after PM Magyar’s demand
“prominent legal scholars and university professors stated in an open letter that public officials who played a role in propping up the Orbán regime have lost the credibility necessary to restore the democratic rule of law and must therefore step down”
THAT is the real attempt at a coup. Throw in a kangaroo court, and you’ve got 1956 par excellence.
When will academics, reporters, activists, etc. realize that if you are not elected to an office, you need to do your actual job and shut the duck up about stuff falling outside of it?!?!?!
Same bullshit Steiner.
No improvment?
Shut the heck up
Nope. This is the REAL coup as described in the article: “The President of the Republic sought to stage a constitutional coup and filed a petition with the Constitutional Court aimed at saving his own position and his monthly salary of 6 million forints. The members of the Constitutional Court rejected Tamás Sulyok’s “attempted constitutional coup”.
And nope, academics, reporters, activists nor constitutional judges are not obliged to “shut the duck up” and participate in a coup. It’s called democracy and freedom of speech to act on your own conscience instead of blindly following orders. Only those, who want to be ruled by authoritarian dictators, shut the duck up and just do their job. Luckily our constitutional court has judges who do not want to be ruled by authoritarian leader.
President Sulyok = has not the SUPPORT nor the Respect of millions upon millions of Hungarians who have become “of knowledge” – the Orban/Fidesz appointment “of favour” for his membership and financial contributions over decades to the Fidesz Political Party.
Sulyok – is an embarrassment to our country “clinging on” wrongfully to his “un-wanted” position of Presidency.
Hungarians in our millions voted out removed the name Victor Mihaly. Orban and Fidesz from being the Prime Minister and the Government of Hungary.
Hungarians – we HUMILIATED them – the DEFEAT of them by the POWER of our numbers – our Vote.
President Sulyok – has been asked to re-sign.
Sulyok by his choice remains – wrongfully for the FUTURE of Hungary under our new Government.
Sulyok – in not putting Hungary first, then the people of Hungary – choosing to remain and FIGHT to remain as the President of Hungary – a “stirring of the pot” through playing his tenure in an attempt to justify his position and NOT to re-sign – by use of constitutional law interpretations to justify wrongfully his Presidency appointment will HUMILIATE him.
Sulyok – his “blood flow” of Fidesz – “inner sanctum” to the Victor Mihaly. Orban “mob” inclusive of the Oligarchy – grows in deserving to be HUMILIATED – forcefully – if necessary – “out of office” – for his refusal – not on matter(s) in reference to interpretation of Constitutional Law – but as a human being, use of discernment, of conscience – in doing what is RIGHT by the people of Hungary and RIGHT for our country – Hungary.
Sulyok – these historic words that its Legal background – the present President of Hungary – will know of and get hopefully understand there message/meaning – and DO it – GO :
“You have sat to long here for any good you have been doing.
Depart, I say, and let us be have done with You.
In the name of God go ! “
Not much I can comment on Hungarian politics. As a full blooded American Hungarian who traveled in and enjoyed Budapest and The interior Country, praying for my connection with The Ven. Cardinal Mindszenty’s Sainthood. But I do believe that the congenial connection with Our President and Prime minster Orban would have even more greatly benefited Hungary. GOD BLESS
Thanks for visiting hrre.
Well majority of us Hungarisns living here do not share your “belief in congenial connection” and that’s why the majority voted Orban and Fidesz out from absolute power, and would also like to see the rest of the corrupted Fidesz appointed public officials to be ousted from their positions and replaced with professionals serving the best interest of Hungary.
Stephen Hornyak – I to pray – for Sainthood being “afforded” to Cardinal Jozsef Mindszent from being venerated by Pope Francis in 2018.
The HUMILIATED former Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Mihaly. Orban – his FRIENDSHIP that was acknowledged by the present Hungarian Cardinal – Peter Erdo, who nears retirement age being 75 and should forward his letter to the Vatican.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – friendship, his “on public record” – acknowledged support to the political ideas and philosophy, the Dogma and Ideology – of the FALLEN, of the humiliated and disgraced – Victor Mihaly. Orban – the IMAGE that Cardinal Peter Erdo “preached” to the millions upon millions of Roman Catholic Hungarians being 63% of of our “ageing” decreasing population in baptism into the Holy Roman Church – in the 20 plus years he has been our Cardinal – REPULSIVE and Wrong.
Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty – just look at history, the character of the man, the LEADERSHIP of the Man – not afraid to LEAD – objection(s) to actions against Humanity, actions taken by Government(s) – Hungarian & Russian in his earthly life – acts of humans undertaken absolute opposite to that contained written in the Word of God, his carrying the Cross at the front of his people, those he was of there Shepherd, with the flock entrusted to his care FOLLOWING him feeling secured by his LEADERSHIP and what he STOOD for in – his Evangelization – proclaiming being Missionary – of the Word of God.
My favourite quote of Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty is ;
“The Church narrates, teaches and finally guides us – to-wards eternal life.”
Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty – “passed” to external life in Martyrdom.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – in his Cardinalship has literally SHRINK the Hungarian Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinal Erdo – has not bought numbers back to practice there baptized faith, nor fill the empty pews of churches – those being ACTIVE in community of a parish / community life.
In his Cardinalship – Peter Erdo has been responsible for greater number of churches in Hungary being DECONSECRATED – than building of new churches and schools.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – the “right of right” – a CONSERVATIVE – of the “old guard” muchly pre Vatican 11 – 1962 – in his practice – his priesthood ministry – of Catholicism – his “adoration” of Saint Pope John Paul 11 and Pope Benedict XV1 – that has FAILED to attract, to BUILD the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – factually was NEVER Pope-able to succeed His Holiness – Pope Francis that factually they where “Oceans apart” – that was evident in the result of the Conclave of Cardinals – in there visions of the FUTURE of the Global Church, the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis said – PREACHED ;
“The Church must move with the times remain steadfast in its foundations but ADAPT to the times”.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – the traditionalist, the conservative – never was going to EMBRACE these words of ADAPTABILITY – to the times – present time, but as he has always will remain in the Past or Darkened times of our Church – REMAIN.
Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty in comparison to Cardinal Peter Erdo – our Hungarian Holy Roman Catholic Church – in the (20) twenty “heinous” years under the Cardinals “friend” – Victor Mihaly. Orban – his “toxic in culture” Fidesz Government who is married, to a wife, who claims she practices her Faith.
Cardinal Peter Erdos “association” with what we continue to see coming out being EXHIBITED in the practices, the conduct being that of Abuse imposed on us – and Lies told us the people of Hungary – the EXPLOITATION of us by Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government – strong STRONG argument(s) as to why – Cardinal Peter Erdo need’s to be Re-tired.
New Government.
New Pontificate under Pope Leo X1X.
The Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary needs a NEW IMAGE – injection – in the proclaiming of the Word of God – that is APPLIED to these times and into the FUTURE.
Cardinal Peter Erdos replacement can’t must not be of a right wing conservative but like His Holiness – Pope Francis, like His Holiness – Pope Leo X1V – be a MODERATE operating the Holy Roman Catholic Church in Hungary adapting its operation, its practices – its FUNCTIONALITY to these times and for the FUTURE.
Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty – in the Victor Mihaly. Orban years as our Prime Minister circa 20 of, he would have been a VOICE for us for ALL human beings whereupon – Cardinal Peter Erdo – the “passive” yes man – Pussy Cat.