Former Hungarian President János Áder has expressed strong opposition to the planned ousting of President Tamás Sulyok, describing the initiative as a “constitutional coup” that threatens to disrupt Hungary’s constitutional order. During his remarks on a podcast, Áder emphasized that political disputes should not serve as a basis for legal proceedings against the president. He highlighted that the Hungarian constitution provides a clear mechanism for presidential removal, which involves an impeachment process necessitating a two-thirds majority in parliament along with evidence of constitutional or legal infractions.
The contentious 17th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law mandates that Sulyok step down immediately once the amendment is enacted. Áder criticized this move, arguing that it circumvents the constitutional procedure for impeachment and constitutes retroactive legislation that is unconstitutional. He contended that allegations against Sulyok, which claim he inadequately addressed certain political controversies, are merely political critiques rather than legitimate legal grounds for his removal from office.
Áder further warned that bypassing the established legal process through a constitutional amendment to remove the president would undermine the office’s legitimacy and weaken the rule of law. He contended that any president installed under such circumstances would likely face challenges to their constitutional legitimacy and ability to embody national unity.
In Áder’s view, maintaining the integrity of the constitutional process is crucial for upholding democratic principles. He argued that deviating from the prescribed legal framework risks setting a dangerous precedent that could erode public trust in the presidency and the broader governmental structure.