President of Hungary

Public outrage follows President Sulyok’s incredibly high Paris hotel cost

Hungarian President in Paris with his wife (Copy)

The hotel reservation for the presidential delegation that attended the 2024 summer Olympic Games in Paris had been made during the tenure of Hungary’s previous president and “could neither be cancelled nor modified under reasonable terms”, the communications department of the incumbent president said in connection with an article published by an online portal on Saturday. The Democratic Coalition submitted a FOI request to get and be able to read the relevant contract and learn the person’s name, who gave go-ahead to sign it.

Hungarian President portrayed in “false light”?

The communications department of the president’s office said in a statement that it had requested a correction from the editor-in-chief of news portal 444.hu to an article published by the website yesterday morning, which, it said, “portrayed the president in a false light”.

The letter said the headline and text of the article published in the crime section falsely suggested that “Tamás Sulyok spent just three days in Paris despite his accommodation having being paid for the full duration of the Games”, the statement said, adding that in the article’s body “the facts serving as the basis for the article were falsely alluded to” (the article is now in the “Money” section – DNH).

Hungarian President in Paris with his wife (Copy)
President Tamás Sulyok and his wife in Paris during the Olympics. Photo: MTI

They said that contrary to the article’s claims, the hotel reservation for the Paris Olympics had been made in mid-2023 for Sulyok’s predecessor, Katalin Novák, and her delegation. They said neither the location of the accommodation, the size of the delegation, the number of rooms booked nor the duration of the stay had been decided by Sulyok, noting he was still the head of the Constitutional Court at the time.

Contract could not be modified under reasonable terms

After Novák’s resignation on 10 February, Sulyok took his oath of office on 10 March and participated as Hungary’s representative at the Paris Games, though with a smaller delegation and for a shorter period of time, the statement said.

President Sulyok in Paris
Photo: MTI

They said the terms and conditions of the reservation had not allowed for the president’s office to be refunded the costs of the reservation economically, which meant “the reservation booked during Katalin Novák’s tenure could not be cancelled or modified under reasonable terms”.

Sulyok went with smaller delegation and a shorter time

“Contrary to the portal’s suggestion that the hotel costs were paid for Tamas Sulyok, the president’s office had to reimburse those costs despite the fact that the incumbent president was in Paris with a smaller delegation and for a shorter time.”

The president’s office also expressed concern that the article was published in the portal’s crime section “offering thereby misleading insinuations and false associations.”

President Sulyok in Paris
Photo: MTI

The Democratic Coalition submitted a FOI request to gain information about the contract and the person who gave go-ahead to sign it. The “elegant” (by 444.hu) accomodation cost HUF 228 million (EUR 550,000) for the Hungarian taxpayers.

In a Facebook post, President Sulyok shared the following story about his family and Paris:

“Almost 40 years ago, I promised Zsuzsa that I would take her to Paris. As young newlyweds, we did not have a penny to spare for the trip, so we pawned our wedding rings to make our dream come true and visit the City of Love. Now we had the opportunity to explore the French capital together again. Though not with a backpack any longer, yet still a bit like in our bohemian youth. The fact that we could do so during the Olympics, i.e. the pinnacle of competitions, made the trip even more memorable.”

Read also:

  • PM Orbán’s spin doctor, Árpád Habony, allegedly tried to connect Trump with Georgia’s “pro-Russia” government – read more HERE

Leader of the Hungarian anti-Orbán opposition says President Sulyok should resign

President Sulyok and Péter Magyar

Péter Magyar, the leader of opposition Tisza, has called on President Tamás Sulyok to resign his office.

In a statement sent to MTI late on Saturday, Magyar said the president’s reaction to his earlier call for a “real presidential address on the state of the nation” had been no more than “evasive personal insults”.

According to the opposition leader it is “sad” that Sulyok was elected president “with no scientific or political achievements” and suggested that the president’s “decade-long good relations” to the father of the minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office had helped him to the post of Constitutional Court chief, his previous position.

President Sulyok and Péter Magyar
Photo: FB/Péter Magyar

Magyar said that the president’s activities were “close to nil” adding that “two out of three Hungarians do not even know who he is.” He insisted that while “every third Hungarian lives below the poverty line … public services are disintegrating, health care is in a crisis, and the economy is plummeting, the president keeps a cynical silence.” While the president “fails to seek unity within the nation and neglects controls over a democratic state order … he behaves as a party stalwart of (ruling) Fidesz,” Magyar said.

Read also:

  • Hungarian President clashes with main Orbán-challenger Magyar on Facebook – read more HERE

Hungarian President clashes with main Orbán-challenger Magyar on Facebook

President Tamás Sulyok

President Tamás Sulyok called out opposition Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar for trying to “lecture” him on legal matters and the obligations of his position in a post on social media with the title “Everything in its proper place” on Saturday.

Responding to a statement by Magyar calling for “a real presidential speech” addressing the state of Hungary, Sulyok said the opposition party leader had repeatedly accused him of “being in arrears” in promoting the nation’s interests and had sought to support that claim with “petty lies”.

President Tamás Sulyok
Photo: FB/Sulyok

Sulyok warned against “illegitimate political agitation in a primitively arrogant manner” and suggested a closer reading of the constitution “that might even help one become a responsible politician”.

Read also:

  • PM Orbán arrived with his family unexpectedly in an Asian country

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says

Hungary and Türkiye form a bridge between East and West, according to a statement by the presidential Sándor Palace on Thursday in connection with the visit of President Tamás Sulyok to Ankara.

Sulyok was received with military honours in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At their meeting, the presidents agreed that Hungary and Türkiye were linked by a common past, deep friendship, and a strategic alliance, confirmed by the frequency of high-level meetings.

Hungary is committed to further deepening cooperation based on mutual respect and its multifaceted partnership with Türkiye, the statement said, adding that common endeavours included energy, security policy, defence industry cooperation, as well as the further development of economic and cultural relations.

The statement noted the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season held this year, the motto of which was “A century of friendship and cooperation”, adding that its programmes provided an opportunity for further dialogue and further deepening ties between the two countries.

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says
Photo: FB/Sulyok

Also, 2025 will be the Hungarian-Turkish Year of Science and Innovation, with joint research projects and the exchange of good innovation practices, as well as the mobility of higher education lecturers and students among its goals, the palace said.

Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union”

The Hungarian president made clear at the meeting that Hungary considers Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union” in the areas of energy security, trade, regional security, as well as in combating terrorism and illegal migration.

During the current EU presidency, Hungary highlighted the promotion of Türkiye’s accession process. Overcoming migration challenges requires the EU to support Turkiye properly and to an appropriate extent, it said.

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says 2 (Copy)
Photo: FB/President Sulyok

Türkiye “is an indispensable player” for creating regional stability and preserving security and peace, the statement said, adding that stability of the Middle East was a common interest.

Hungary regards it as highly important that no extremist ideology or radical group takes control in the region, so attention must be paid to respecting the rights of religious communities and minorities, the palace said, adding that Hungary pays special attention to the region’s Christian communities and it provides humanitarian aid.

After the talks, the Turkish president hosted the Hungarian president and prime minister at a state dinner, and a gala concert of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season was perfored in front of around 1,900 invited guests, the statement said.

Read also:

  • Stunning Hungarian myth and innovation murals unveiled in Türkiye for cultural season
  • Suleiman the Magnificent: The Great Sultan’s heart rediscovered in Hungary

Australia’s best Hungarian restaurant awaited guests with kangaroo goulash

Korona Csárda Hungarian restaurant in Australia

For many years, Australia’s top Hungarian restaurant, Korona Csárda, hosted Hungarian politicians, expats and local Australians as well. Most guests were eager to try the kangaroo goulash, the owner’s invention. Meanwhile, others felt sorry for the poor being and refused to even try the delicacy. Here’s the story of preserving Hungarian culinary traditions in Melbourne.

Hungarian restaurant in Melbourne

Blikk writes that at the Hungarian restaurant Korona Csárda in Melbourne, chef Zsolt Vigh crafted a unique dish – kangaroo goulash – that captivated both locals and visiting Hungarian politicians. Vigh, who opened Korona Csárda in 2009 within Melbourne’s Hungarian Community Center, prepared this distinctive meal by frying onions in fat, adding paprika with care, and then incorporating tender kangaroo meat, often from the tail for its juiciness.

Korona Csárda Hungarian restaurant in Australia
Photo: Instagram / hungarian_homecoming

Hungarian politicians’ favourite Australian eatery

This hearty dish became a memorable experience for Hungarian politicians visiting the community hub. However, not all diners were completely on board – some felt hesitant about savouring kangaroo meat, finding it a challenging delicacy. For instance, the wife of the former President of Hungary, János Áder, politely refused to try the odd yet delicious meal. According to the chef, kangaroo goulash is slightly sweeter than the traditional version.

The restaurant hosted numerous Hungarian dignitaries, including former head of state László Sólyom, Regional Development Minister Tibor Navracsics, and László Kövér, the speaker of the National Assembly. Despite his connections with prominent figures, Vigh remains humble, cherishing moments like his visit to Kövér’s office in Hungary rather than pursuing fame in Australia.

 

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

 

Hungarian Homecoming (@hungarian_homecoming) által megosztott bejegyzés

Preserving heritage

At the Korona Csárda Hungarian restaurant owner Zsolt Vigh created a nostalgic haven for Australians and Hungarian expatriates alike. While some guests initially found Hungarian cuisine more robust than they were accustomed to, Vigh says the restaurant’s diverse menu appealed to nearly all visitors. A key influence in the kitchen was Vigh’s mother-in-law from Transylvania, whose culinary skills are widely admired. The restaurant drew a multigenerational clientele, including Hungarian Australians who find themselves moved to tears when tasting long-missed dishes like floating islands (madártej) dessert. Younger guests, often unfamiliar with their heritage, even expressed regret for not experiencing Hungarian culture sooner.

Read also:

PHOTOS: The Hungarian President in Auschwitz

President Tamás Sulyok in Auschwitz

President Tamás Sulyok commemorated the victims of the Holocaust at a visit at the Auschwitz memorial site and museum on Saturday.

Sulyok laid a wreath at the “Death Wall”, where thousands of people were executed by firing squad during the second world war. He lit a candle in commemoration of the Hungarian victims of the holocaust in Camp 1, and at the Hungarian-language plaque at Camp 2.

In the guest book, Sulyok wrote: “I came because all Hungarians should come here once, so they can see what human evil can do. We can’t forget or replace the lives destroyed here. Many of them were my compatriots, one of us. Walking among the barracks, I feel that pain or sadness is not enough. We need a determined commitment to good and against evil. We can’t let any more people be taken away from us.”

Read also:

  • The incredible story of the Hungarian woman who survived Auschwitz and now helps people overcome trauma – read more HERE
  • The diary of a 13 years old Hungarian Jewish girl who died in Auschwitz is presented on Instagram

President Sulyok: Hungary serving Europe and its citizens in a responsible way – PHOTOS

President Tamás Sulyok in Cracow

Hungary is serving Europe and its citizens in a responsible way, President Tamás Sulyok said after the annual meeting of the Arraiolos Group, in Cracow on Friday.

Hungary and Poland have a bond through their thousand-year history, and Hungary has a similarly strong bond with Europe, he told a press conference.

“Europe is for us about our Christian faith and values and about our self-identity. We Hungarians view Europe as a free community of sovereign nations that share the same cultural roots and values,” the president said.

President Tamás Sulyok in Cracow
Photo: MTI

Hungary is for this reason committed to strengthening Europe and the European communities, protecting the continent’s interests and preserving its peace, he said.

Speaking to Hungarian journalists, Sulyok said the meeting had addressed issues affecting Europe and the global geopolitical situation including the Russia-Ukraine war, energy security, the EU’s competitiveness, economic problems and EU enlargement.

President Tamás Sulyok in Cracow
Photo: MTI

The participants were in agreement that further delaying progress in the integration of the Western Balkans countries would compromise the EU’s credibility in those countries.

Sulyok said that the topic of next month’s US elections also came up and the meeting’s position was that it would not basically influence the situation regarding Europe’s defence capabilities.

“We all were in agreement that the US and NATO are important stakeholders in providing for Europe’s security, yet, Europe’s defence capabilities must be strengthened.”

Read also:

  • Tineke Strik in Budapest: EU aims to protect the Hungarians from concentration of power and corruption – read more HERE
  • Putin’s blacklist snubs Hungary, includes Poland among nations of ‘destructive ideology’

Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts receives high Hungarian state award

Kevin Roberts and Viktor Orbán

Kevin Roberts, the president of the US conservative Heritage Foundation, was decorated with a high Hungarian state award in recognition of his role in bolstering Hungarian-US relations, in Washington, DC on Monday.

The Heritage Foundation is now one of the most influential think tanks in the US Republican camp, close to Trump, and is now one of the former president’s strategy-making centres.

Roberts highly esteems Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government, calling him an impressive leader. He has been to Hungary several times, including as a guest of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC). Kevin Roberts held a panel discussion with Viktor Orbán in March, read about it here.

Hungary’s ambassador in Washington initiated the award. Zsolt Németh, the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, presented Roberts with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary, Civilian Division, on behalf of President Tamás Sulyok.

Szabolcs Takács, Hungary’s ambassador to the US, told MTI that Roberts received the award in recognition of his “central role” in fostering relations between Hungarian and American conservative institutions and personalities. It had been as part of this relationship, he added, that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave a talk at the Heritage Foundation’s headquarters during his visit to the US in March.

Roberts said Hungary had a role in the US’ conservative renewal, particularly with its policy of putting the nation-state and sovereignty first.

Viktor Orbán is one of the few world leaders who clearly backed Trump in the last and next elections. Many accuse him of meddling in the internal affairs of the United States while expecting everyone to stay out of Hungary’s internal affairs. One thing is for sure, the November election has high stakes for the Hungarian government, as either the frosty relationship with the United States, one of the world’s largest economies, continues, or a friendly relationship with Trump’s leadership develops.

read also:

US presidential elections: Ambassador Pressman slams PM Orbán, says he does not have a B plan and is cozy with Putin

Former Hungarian President Katalin Novák returns to work as CEO

Hungarian President Katalin Novák

After the outburst of the major paedophilia scandal earlier this year, Katalin Novák resigned from her position as President of Hungary. After ending her political career, she remained largely silent, rarely sharing details about her private life. Now, she has announced her return to the public sphere with a new role as a CEO.

Katalin Novák appointed CEO

24.hu reports that former Hungarian President Katalin Novák has taken on a new role as CEO of the non-profit organisation X·Y Worldwide. The organisation is dedicated to addressing the global decline in birth rates by providing public policy advice to world leaders and promoting sustainable strategies to encourage childbirth. Novák has highlighted the importance of overcoming socio-cultural barriers to having children and aims to raise awareness about involuntary childlessness, fostering a deeper global understanding of this issue.

Life after the scandal

Novák’s resignation came in the wake of revelations that she had pardoned Endre K., who was implicated in a paedophilia case involving the former head of the Bicske children’s home. Alongside Novák, former Justice Minister Judit Varga, who co-signed the pardon, also withdrew from public life. Stephen J. Shaw, founder of X·Y Worldwide, has made several visits to Hungary and recently gave a lecture at the Mária Kopp Institute. Shaw is also the director of the documentary Birthgap, which examines global declining birth rates and includes commentary from Elon Musk.

Read also:

Hungarian President: Christianity represents Hungary’s ‘moral foundation’

tamás sulyok president christianity

Christianity and following Christ’s teachings represent Hungary’s moral foundations, President Tamás Sulyak said at the Pannonhalma Archabbey on Monday, addressing a celebration marking the 800th anniversary of the consecration of the abbey built in honour of Saint Martin.

tamás sulyok president christianity
Photo: Facebook/Dr. Sulyok Tamás

Pannonhalma plays an important role in the survival of Christianity and in safeguarding the future of the nation, helping future generations preserve their faith and Christian Hungarian self-identity, Sulyok said, adding that no country could work without moral foundations and order.

“Pannonhalma is a place where they have been using the language of peace for a thousand years, and using this language is something that the whole world badly needs today,” he added.

Read also:

Sulyok: Hungary-Germany relations key – Pan-European picnic’s 35th anniversary

Sulyok Hungary-Germany relations

Relations between Germany and Hungary are of prime importance both in terms of their alliance and from a strategic point of view, President Tamás Sulyok said after talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Pan-European picnic in Sopron, in western Hungary, on Monday.

Sulyok: Hungary-Germany relations key

Sulyok said that though there were differences of opinion between the two countries on certain matters, “we presidents have a duty to overcome these.”

He said he was certain that honest dialogue and an approach based on mutual respect allowed Hungary and Germany to not only preserve but could also strengthen their relations.

The president said the Pan-European picnic was a transformative event in European history, “effectively the Trojan horse of German reunification”.

He expressed his gratitude to the picnic’s organisers and participants, saying that Hungary and Germany ought to follow their example and focus on what unites them.

Sulyok said he and Steinmeier were in agreement that the two countries considered each other important political and economic partners and were allies on most European issues.

“Preserving and strengthening our friendly relationship is our shared goal,” he added.

Sulyok said German businesses were the most active investor group in Hungary and were continuously expanding their activities in the country. He praised the cooperation among their institutions in education, research and innovation, adding that both Hungary and Germany viewed each other’s national minority communities as a strong link between their two countries.

Budapest is home to the only German-language university outside German-speaking countries, he said.

Sulyok also said that the different opinions about Europe “unite, rather than divide us”.

Steinmeier welcomed that the anniversary of the Pan-European picnic was being commemorated in Sopron.

He said the event was not only something that led to Germany’s reunification, but was also the end of Europe’s division, noting its contribution to a Europe without borders.

Meanwhile, Steinmeier highlighted Hungary’s responsibility as the holder of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, especially in light of the Russia-Ukraine war.

He underscored Hungary’s role in strengthening the unity of the EU, saying it was the key to Europe’s strength.

Steinmeier said he and Sulyok will next discuss bilateral ties in Krakow in October, and that he has also invited his Hungarian counterpart to Berlin.

Read also:

Gyurcsány’s DK believes President Sulyok is a common criminal

Former PM Ferenc Gyurcsány's party DK slams President Sulyok

The Budapest Public Prosecutor’s Office has rejected a petition by Democratic Coalition MEP Klára Dobrev to launch court proceedings regarding alleged attempts to circumvent the law to acquire seven pieces of farmland in Csongrad-Csanád County, in southern Hungary.

In her petition, Dobrev alleged that, based on purchase and donation agreements and a German-language certificate presented during the purchase procedure, the real owner of the lands in question was not the person registered in the land registry. She alleged the legal transaction had aimed to transfer proprietary rights to an unauthorised person.

dobrev mep eu election dk hungarian opposition
Photo: Facebook/Dobrev Klára

The prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Thursday that the petition did not fulfil the necessary requirements for submitting a claim to start legal proceedings.

President Sulyok in Vienna
President Sulyok in Vienna. Photo: MTI

The prosecutor’s office reviewed the related documents, and found that one property had been transferred to the ownership of its present Hungarian owner lawfully in every respect. The remaining six lands are in the hands of the state. All purchase agreements had been found to be in line with Hungarian law in previous court proceedings, the prosecutor’s office said.

The mortgage on the state-owned lands was also found to be lawful, the statement said.

Presidential pocket agreements?

While Hungarian laws at the time banned foreign nationals from acquiring Hungarian land, the agreements were concluded between Hungarians, the statement said.

Regarding allegations that the documents together added up to a “pocket agreement” aiming to circumvent Hungarian law, the prosecutor’s office said the parties had withdrawn from implementing the contents of the German-language certificate, so no such result had been achieved.

Dobrev said in response that the decision was “trying to absolve crime by circles close to Fidesz… But this will not always be so. There will come a day when an independent prosecutor’s office will rule that [President] Tamás Sulyok is a common criminal who has helped play Hungarian land to foreigners’ hands, using strawmen and pocket agreements, unlawfully and in a criminal organisation,” she said.

Read also:

  • Hungarian opposition DK presses Péter Magyar to clarify support for Budapest mayor Karácsony – Read more HERE
  • Not everyone agrees: Opposition slams Orbán’s controversial speech

Hungarian President talked about anti-Semitism in Hungary in Vienna

President Sulyok in Vienna

Ties between Hungary and Austria are “excellent”, President Tamás Sulyok’s office told MTI in a statement after talks between the presidents of the two countries in Vienna on Wednesday.

Hungary-Austria ties ‘excellent’, President says

Sulyok and Alexander Van der Bellen agreed that “in the current, extraordinary times good and balanced ties between neighbouring countries as well as regular communication are more important than ever,” the statement said, adding that bilateral economic and cultural ties were also excellent, based on a strategic partnership and centuries of historical contact.

According to the statement, Sulyok expressed his support to plans to open a Hungarian language secondary school in Vienna.

On the subject of traffic restrictions at the Hungary-Austria border, they agreed that finding an early resolution to the problems and ensuring smooth crossing was in the interest of both countries, the statement said, noting “constructive talks” between the two governments.

Sulyok informed his counterpart about objectives of Hungary’s European Union presidency, while both presidents highlighted the importance of increasing the EU’s competitiveness, adding that a speedy accession of the Western Balkans to the EU was crucial.

Sulyok also invited Van der Bellen to an official visit to Budapest.

Other meetings

According to the statement, Sulyok also met House Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka, and discussed issues around the war in Ukraine, and protection to the rights of ethnic minorities.

At the talks, Sulyok noted Hungary’s “zero tolerance for anti-Semitism” and expressed Hungary’s support for Israel and that country’s “right to self-defence”. Sulyok condemned all forms of terrorism, but added that “the Palestinian people and Hamas are not the same”.

Sulyok also noted that Vienna’s Collegium Hungaricum, “the first Hungarian cultural institution abroad”, was celebrating its first centenary this year.

After his talks, the president laid a wreath of commemoration at a monument of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis at Vienna’s medical university.

President Sulyok in Vienna
Photo: MTI

In a speech before the opening concert of Hungary’s EU presidency held in the evening, the president highlighted the importance of avoiding the erosion of European values and of preserving them “for the success of the European community”, as well as improving competitiveness.

Each member state should fulfil its tasks and duties

“We want to guarantee a good life for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, and we need a strong and stable Europe for that, one that is proud of its values,” Sulyok said.

“There is no need for a one-size-fits-all Europe, the free collision of opinions is a trademark of democracy,” he said.

The EU’s strength is in the “special nature and constitutions” of the individual member states, he added.

In the face of challenges, each member state should fulfil its tasks and duties “as they see fit, to the benefit of the entire community,” he said.

“It is not fair to doubt others’ goodwill and deep concern for the future of Europe.”

Sulyok added that Hungary was counting on Austria’s support during the presidency.

Read also:

  • Austrian expert: Severe flight delays caused by Hungarian air traffic controllers – Read more HERE
  • Vacation: HERE is how much an “Austrian euro” is worth in Hungary

Hungarian President talked about Europe’s defence in Brussels

PM Orbán takes over EU's rotating presidency (2)

Hungarians have often been “spared misfortune” by the “valour” of sovereignty, President Tamás Sulyok said in Brussels on Monday.

In a speech at the Liszt Institute, marking the start of Hungary’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, Sulyok said Brussels was a place to “learn the art of compromise”. He said that like Belgians, Europeans often had trouble understanding each other.

“But in the end we must always strive for compromise, because without it no people or nation is viable,” the president said.

He said Hungarians were not confined to Hungary, noting the times throughout history when they were forced to leave their homeland. “But as Hungarians, we can live anywhere, that is, we find our people everywhere and form close bonds and tight-knit communities with our compatriots,” he added.

President Sulyok
Photo: MTI

President Sulyok: let’s not forget the way home

Sulyok said there were Hungarians living all over the world and their talent was also world-renowned.

Noting the accomplishments of 2023 Nobel Laureates Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz, Sulyok said that though they had left Hungary to pursue their academic careers, they had never forgotten their home country and had preserved their Hungarian identity.

“They are wonderful examples of how one can find the way to one’s personal success abroad without forgetting the way home,” Sulyok said, adding that this also meant returning home in the intellectual and spiritual sense.

Hungary intent on strengthening Europe

Hungary is intent on strengthening Europe and its communities as well as conserving peace in the bloc, President Tamas Sulyok said in Brussels.
Giving a speech late on Monday on the occasion of the opening of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, Sulyok noted that Hungary held the rotating presidency “successfully” 13 years ago.

Hungary, he said, was committed to defending Europe’s interests and the rights and obligations stipulated in the founding treaties, as well as overcoming the challenges it faces, adding that Hungary would do so responsibly and serve the citizens of Europe.

He said the union was “Europe’s hope and promise” after the tragic events of the 20th century, and described the EU as a “remarkable and unique economic and political union; less than a state but more than a simple federation”, based on “our common Christian culture and values” and the equality and sovereignty of its member states.

Its strength lay, he said, in the diversity of its nations and the values and characteristics of its member states. The “common European will”, he added, derived from the “separate will of its members” and values deeply rooted in the singularities and constitutions of member states. He said unity did not equate with uniformity and common action was not an automatic given.

“Differences of opinion and debates help us understand each other to better find solutions to common challenges,” the president said, adding that it was desirable for member states to seek mutual respect and for all opinions to be considered, as the EU would never have been created had it not been established on the basis of mutual understanding.

Read also:

Historical moment: PM Orbán takes over EU’s rotating presidency – PHOTOS

PM Orbán takes over EU's rotating presidency (2)

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán formally took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months at a meeting with Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo in Brussels on Monday, the government’s official site said.

PM Orbán takes over EU's rotating presidency (2)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán formally took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months at a meeting with Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo in Brussels on Monday.

After the meeting, Orbán and President Tamás Sulyok inspected the recently renovated Hungarian House building, which will be one of the main venues of the Hungarian presidency.

PM Orbán takes over EU's rotating presidency (2)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President of the Republic Tamás Sulyok and his wife Zsuzsanna Nagy in front of the recently renovated Hungarian House in Brussels on 1 July 2024. Photo: MTI

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Brussels on 1 July 2024:

PM Orbán takes over EU's rotating presidency (2)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Brussels on 1 July 2024. Photo: MTI

PM Orbán takes over EU's rotating presidency (2)
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Brussels on 1 July 2024.. Photo: MTI

read also:

Lawmakers approve constitutional amendments in Hungary: presidential pardons, troop movements

Hungarian Parliament

In a Tuesday vote, lawmakers approved amendments to the constitution affecting presidential pardons, troop movements, and clearance for European Union credit.

The amendments were approved with a vote of 152 for and 1 against and with no abstentions.

The amendments allow the president to issue pardons without the countersignature of a government member while also prohibiting pardons for crimes against children as defined in the scope of a cardinal act.

They require a cardinal act for the movement and stationing of Hungarian troops abroad and for the stationing of foreign forces in Hungary.

The amendments also require a parliamentary resolution, supported by two-thirds of MPs, to clear any ad hoc government decision on Hungary’s participation in taking out joint European Union credit.

As we wrote today, Hungary’s parliament on Tuesday adopted changes aimed at increasing protection for children against sexual abuse, details HERE.

read also:

  • Hungarian President resigns after pardoning paedophile helper, details here
  • Reformed Bishop resigns after admitting he supported scandalous presidential pardon, details HERE

Hungarian parliament votes down proposal to impeach president

President Sulyok

Lawmakers rejected a proposal in a secret ballot on Monday to start proceedings to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office.

In a debate on the draft resolution submitted by the opposition Democratic Coalition, Christian Democrat MP Imre Vejkey, the head of parliament’s justice committee, said the committee recommended that parliament against initiating “the obviously baseless … and unworthy proceedings that only served campaign goals”.

He said the opposition parties that submitted the proposal had “put forward a deceitful opinion and came to an incorrect conclusion” regarding two matters.

Vejkey said such proceedings could only be initiated against a president who is found to have intentionally violated the constitution, broken a law or committed a crime. He added, however, that the justice committee had concluded that the allegations in the proposal “are not connected to Tamas Sulyok’s actions as president”. This, he said, ruled out “any basis for references to the intentional violation of the law”.

The lawmaker said the allegation that Sulyok had acted under a conflict of interest by taking his salary as head of the Constitutional Court was also unfounded, arguing that Sulyok suspended his activities as a lawyer during his time on the court and the cases he had worked on earlier were being taken care of by a deputy.

Vejkey noted that the complaint submitted by Klára Dobrev of the Democratic Coalition (DK) had been rejected by the regional investigative prosecutor’s office of Szeged, details HERE.

DK lawmaker László Sebian-Petrovszki said the six opposition parties that had called for the proceedings against Sulyok believed there were documents proving that as a lawyer Sulyok had been involved in “illegally transferring Hungarian farmland to foreigners” in the early 2000s.

Sebian-Petrovszki said Sulyok had continued to be involved in such transactions even during his tenure as a constitutional judge. He said the “pocket contracts” used in the transactions had never been legal, and regardless of whether or not the statute of limitations for the case had expired, the president “shouldn’t commit intentional crimes in the present and shouldn’t have committed them in the past, either”.

In a secret ballot, lawmakers rejected the proposal to impeach the president with 41 votes in favour and 132 votes against.

read also:

No proceedings will be launched against Hungarian President Sulyok

tamás sulyok hungarian president

The regional investigative prosecutor’s office of Szeged, in southern Hungary, has thrown out a criminal complaint filed by the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) in connection with alleged abuse of office, fraud, and other purported crimes involving President Tamás Sulyok.

No proceedings against Sulyok

The central investigative chief prosecutor’s office (KNYF) said in a statement on Thursday that Klára Dobrev, MEP and shadow prime minister of DK, had accused the president of illegally taking his salary as a constitutional judge between 2014 and 2019, having failed to report a conflict of interest, thus “committing fraud and abuse of office”.

The prosecutor’s office, however, ascertained that Sulyok had informed the chamber of lawyers of Szeged that he would suspend his activities as a lawyer after being nominated for the Constitutional Court post. At the chamber’s enquiry in 2019, the president again stated that he was not active as a lawyer, the cases he had earlier worked on being taken care of by a deputy, the office said in its statement.

The prosecutors established that Sulyok had not worked as a lawyer during his tenure at the top court, so had not committed fraud or abuse of office and received his salary lawfully, the statement said.

Concerning farmland agreements Dobrev referred to in her complaint, the prosecutor’s office said “possible activities concerning those agreements cannot be subject to an investigation due to the expiry of the statute of limitations”, but the office added that they would “examine if it is necessary or possible to take a civil action”.

Read also: