Manfred Weber has thrown his support behind Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, saying he received a clear democratic mandate from voters to transform the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the President of the European People’s Party was asked whether he considered the government’s planned constitutional amendments democratic. The proposed reforms include the immediate removal of President Tamás Sulyok and the president of the Constitutional Court, as well as introducing an eight-year limit for serving as prime minister and a 12-year cap on parliamentary mandates.
‘Péter Magyar received a clear mandate from the Hungarian people’
Responding to questions about the controversial constitutional package, Weber said Magyar had won a democratic election and was now carrying out the mandate he received.
“Péter Magyar received a clear mandate from the Hungarian people in a democratic election to change the country, and that is exactly what he is doing,” Weber said.
The EPP leader added that he fully supports the Hungarian prime minister, whom he described as the strong and independent leader of an important European country.
“Hungary is a proud and important country of Europe, and therefore I fully support his efforts to implement everything he promised to Hungarian citizens,” Weber said.
Constitutional reform sparks heated debate in Hungary
Weber’s comments come as Hungary’s Parliament debates the proposed 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law, one of the most far-reaching constitutional packages in recent years.
The government argues that the reforms are necessary to rebuild democratic institutions and restore accountability after the previous administration. Critics, however, warn that the changes could weaken institutional independence and concentrate too much power in the hands of the new government.
The package would also introduce major changes affecting the Constitutional Court, the judiciary, public finances and state institutions, while paving the way for the drafting of a new constitution.
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