Former Hungarian President János Áder has issued a stern rebuke against the proposed removal of President Tamás Sulyok, labeling it a “constitutional coup” that could breach Hungary’s constitutional framework. Áder expressed his concerns during a podcast, emphasizing that political disagreements should not serve as a basis for legal action against the president. According to him, the Hungarian constitution mandates that a president can only be removed through an impeachment process, which necessitates a two-thirds majority in parliament and conclusive evidence of constitutional or legal infractions.
The controversy centers on a proposed 17th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law, which would compel President Sulyok to vacate his position immediately upon the amendment’s enactment. Áder criticized this move, asserting that it sidesteps the formal impeachment process outlined in the constitution. He further contended that such an amendment would constitute unconstitutional retroactive legislation.
Addressing accusations that Sulyok inadequately managed certain political controversies, Áder dismissed these allegations as political critiques rather than legal violations warranting removal from office. He argued that the charges against Sulyok fail to meet the legal threshold necessary for impeachment and should not be exploited as a pretext for his ousting.
Áder cautioned that removing the president via constitutional amendment, rather than through established legal channels, would undermine the institution’s legitimacy and weaken the rule of law in Hungary. He highlighted the potential ramifications for any successor appointed under these circumstances, noting that such an individual would likely face challenges to their constitutional legitimacy and ability to represent national unity.