Hungary’s President, Tamás Sulyok, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed 17th Amendment to the country’s Fundamental Law, cautioning that it poses significant threats to the separation of powers and the rule of law. Sulyok’s main concern is that this amendment could enable the ruling majority to more readily dismiss the head of state and other leaders of independent institutions, thereby increasing political influence over constitutional entities.
The president highlighted that the adoption of this proposal would bring an immediate end to the current president’s term and could impact the Constitutional Court by reintroducing a 70-year age limit for its judges. Additionally, the amendment proposes a 12-year term limit for members of parliament, which could prevent several lawmakers from running for re-election.
Sulyok argues that these proposed changes jeopardize Hungary’s constitutional democracy and infringe upon crucial democratic principles, such as judicial independence and the separation of powers. He has urged lawmakers to take into account the opinions of the Venice Commission to ensure that any constitutional disputes are resolved following democratic and legal standards.
Furthermore, the president appealed to political leaders and public figures to stand up for the core values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. He emphasized that Hungary is at a pivotal moment regarding its constitutional future, underscoring the importance of defending these fundamental principles.