Former Hungarian President János Áder has issued a stern warning against the proposed removal of current President Tamás Sulyok, describing the initiative as a “constitutional coup” and a violation of Hungary’s legal framework. Speaking on a podcast, Áder emphasized that political disagreements should not serve as a pretext for legal actions against the president. He pointed out that Hungary’s constitution mandates an impeachment process for removing a president, which requires a two-thirds majority in parliament and must be based on constitutional or legal violations.
One of the key points of contention is the proposed 17th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, which would compel President Sulyok to vacate his position immediately upon the amendment’s enactment. Áder strongly criticized this move, arguing that it circumvents the constitutional impeachment process and effectively introduces unconstitutional retroactive legislation. He noted that such actions would set a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law and the legitimacy of the presidency.
Addressing the accusations that Sulyok did not adequately address certain political controversies, Áder dismissed these claims as mere political criticisms rather than legitimate legal grounds for removal. He asserted that these criticisms do not rise to the level of constitutional or legal violations required to justify such drastic measures.
Áder further cautioned that removing a president via a constitutional amendment rather than through the established legal process could have lasting repercussions. He argued that it would not only weaken the presidency’s legitimacy but also cast doubts on the constitutional authority and ability of any successor appointed under such circumstances to represent national unity effectively.