Hungarian Constitutional Court Could Permit Two Presidents

Hungary’s Constitutional Court is reviewing a petition from the governing Fidesz–KDNP coalition to annul the constitutional amendment that terminated the presidential term. If the court finds that the amendment’s adoption violated procedural rules, it can nullify the provision retroactively, meaning the previous president, Sulyok Tamás, would be deemed never to have left office. This could create a legal situation in which two individuals claim the presidency, a scenario not recognised by Hungarian law. Experts such as constitutional lawyer Lomnici Zoltán warn that any overlap would have to be resolved quickly, either through a new amendment, a political agreement, or the resignation of one claimant. The court must issue its decision within 30 days and is limited to assessing the validity of the amendment, not its political merits. Meanwhile, the Parliament plans to hold a vote on a new president before the August 20 deadline set by Prime Minister Magyar Péter.