# Hungary defence, constitutional reforms & presidency 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hungary-defence-policy-reforms-2026 > Updated: 2026-07-15T09:29:45.000Z. Sources: 98. Developments: 6. The mid‑June two‑track defence plan kept the budget at 2 % of GDP and set a 3.5 % target for 2035. After the April elections, the Tisza party held a two‑thirds parliamentary majority and accelerated its constitutional overhaul. On 18 July 2026 President Tamás Sulyok formally signed the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law, ending his own mandate at 00:00 on 20 July. The amendment limits parliamentary terms to 12 years, caps Constitutional Court judges’ retirement age at 70, creates a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, and strengthens judicial self‑governance. Interim head‑of‑state duties were transferred to Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer, with a new president to be elected within 30 days. Prime Minister Péter Magyar presented the changes as restoring checks and balances and curbing the lingering influence of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Sulyok, in a video posted to social media, affirmed his compliance with constitutional obligations. Orbán and opposition leaders condemned the amendment as a blow to the rule of law. The reform package also reinstated soldiers dismissed under the 2023 “youth‑refreshment” policy, with the first intake scheduled for 1 August 2026, and continued the broader overhaul agenda, including a proposal to lower the voting age to 16 and a planned referendum after the constitutional changes are adopted. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-15: Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok signs amendment ending his mandate President Tamás Sulyok signed Hungary’s 17th constitutional amendment, ending his term on 20 July and transferring duties to Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer; the reform also caps MPs at 12‑year terms, sets a 70‑year‑ 83 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/budapest-bajcsyzsilinszky-hospital-names-hermnyi-zsolt-as-new-director ### 2026-07-14: Hungary Defense Minister Ruszin‑Szendi Says Hungary Will Close Door on Russia and Boost NATO Ties Hungary’s defence minister Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi announced the country will shut out Russian influence, rebuild NATO trust and aim for 5 % of GDP defence spending by 2035 while prioritising health andeducation 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-defence-minister-vows-to-curb-military-spending-and-shut-out-russia ### 2026-07-11: Hungarian Defence Minister Ruszin‑Szendi addresses newly sworn NCOs Hungary’s defence minister praised newly sworn NCOs as the military’s backbone, urging them to lead by example and pledging support for troops and families at a Budapest ceremony. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-defence-minister-ruszinszendi-addresses-newly-sworn-ncos ### 2026-06-25: Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi underscores V4 security ties and returns to reserve service Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi announced renewed V4 defence cooperation, his return to reserve parachutist status, and stressed non‑discrimination in the military. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-defence-minister-ruszinszendi-reaffirms-v4-defence-cooperation ### 2026-06-21: Hungarian Defence Minister Ruszin‑Szendi Announces Soldier‑Led Reforms and Possible Reinstatement Hungarian defence minister says soldiers will decide on identity issues and backs a law change to reinstate those dismissed under the 2023 ‘youngification’ rule. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-defence-minister-ruszinszendi-announces-soldierled-reforms-and-possible-reinstatement ### 2026-06-14: Hungary's Defence Minister Ruszin‑Szendi Calls for Prioritising EU Funds to Health Over Military Hungary's defence minister says EU funds should focus on health and social services now, keeping defence spending stable at 2 % of GDP and targeting 3.5 % by 2035. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-defence-minister-ruszinszendi-calls-for-prioritising-eu-funds-to-health-over-military --- Cite as: Hungary defence, constitutional reforms & presidency 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hungary-defence-policy-reforms-2026