Hungary’s former president Áder warns removal of President Sulyok unconstitutional

Former President Áder János said in a YouTube podcast that the Tisza Party’s plan to force President Sulyok Tamás out of office via a targeted constitutional amendment would be “unconstitutional,” amounting to a constitutional coup. He emphasized that political opinions about the president’s conduct cannot form the basis for legal removal and that the only lawful procedure is a parliamentary impeachment‑type “megfosztási” process, which requires a two‑thirds vote and review by the Constitutional Court.

Áder warned that the proposed amendment – which would oblige Sulyok to leave his post the day after it entered force – would undermine the rule of law and repeat historic abuses from Hungary’s post‑war era. He cited past forced resignations of leaders such as Ferenc Nagy and Zoltán Tildy as parallels.

In response, President Sulyok filed a petition with the Constitutional Court questioning whether such “individual‑targeted” amendments can be part of the constitution. The Court’s handling of the case has been delayed, with several judges recusing themselves, leaving the issue unresolved. Prime Minister Magyar Péter has repeatedly stated that the Tisza government will remove “Orbán‑government puppets,” including Sulyok, if it assumes power.