Marching for democracy in 1988, only to give it all up on April 12, 2026

 

Tamás Sulyok signed the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law, automatically ending his own term as President of the Republic  tomorrow. With the amendment’s removal of almost all other checks and balances, Hungary will effectively cease to be a democracy.

In addition to the removal of the President of the Republic and the President of the Constitutional Court, a term limit for members of parliament will take effect, barring most of the opposition in parliament from running in the 2030 parliamentary elections.

In the video published on his social media platform, President Tamás Sulyok said that the Hungarian people are a wonderful people, a strong and great nation of Europe. This people has already endured numerous hardships, but in every struggle, it has been able to rely on solid pillars. One such solid pillar stems from the development of Hungarian law, which rests on a thousand-year-old foundation.

The rule of law means, above all, respect for the law—that is, the supremacy of the law over arbitrariness, and the supremacy of legal norms over individual decisions by public authorities—said the outgoing President. He stated that

if the politicization of power circumvents the limits of the law, it will have unforeseeable consequences for our country.”

In his view, this is a serious case in a constitutional sense and an unprecedented one in the 36 years of Hungarian democracy since the transition to democracy.

Tamás Sulyok noted that the Hungarian National Assembly had voted to adopt the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law. This amendment terminates the term of office of the incumbent President of the Republic with a single sentence.

This sentence joins the ranks of those forced Gordian knots that will remain for posterity as grave and shameful historical examples of the abuse of political power,”

— he stated. Tamás Sulyok expressed the view that the primary responsibility of state institutions and the chief representatives of state power is mutual respect and the cooperation based on it. That is why he did not resign from the office of head of state.

In his view, this means, above all, respect for human dignity in interpersonal relationships, and, in relations between institutions, respect for each other’s constitutional roles and powers. Only in this way can every state body fulfill its own constitutional role and mission. These principles also form the foundation of a civilized system of government based on the rule of law, in keeping with European culture. He believes that it is contrary to these principles for public authorities to seek to achieve their goals through threats, the exertion of pressure, and the circumvention of constitutional rules.

“In response to messages demanding my resignation and threatening my removal, the protection of the constitutional order and the authority of the office of the head of state left me with only one course of action: to remain in office”, he stated. The 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law marked a breaking point in Hungarian constitutional democracy.

By removing public officials—an act that openly violates the rule of law and the independence of institutions—and by imposing unprecedented restrictions on the right to vote, it sets a negative precedent that inflicts a deep wound on the constitutional values of democracy, the separation of powers, and the rule of law

—emphasized Tamás Sulyok. He stated that the rule of law is fundamental to him, and that as President of the Republic, he has always carried out his duties within the framework of the Fundamental Law and with full respect for it. As he noted, the foremost evidence of this is that the new ruling party has consistently viewed amending the Fundamental Law as the only way to remove him from office.

Tamás Sulyok stated that we have reached a crossroads regarding a matter of national importance that transcends personal or political interests. In such a case, the President of the Republic has two options: to fulfill his constitutional duty by signing the bill, or to refuse to sign it—which, however, would constitute a violation of the law. He announced that, under the current Fundamental Law, there is no constitutional remedy available against this amendment—which violates constitutional principles but was adopted by the National Assembly, as the body empowered to amend the Constitution, through a lawful procedure.

“The sole responsibility for this decision lies with those who have the power to amend the Constitution”. Photo: Facebook Péter Magyar

“I am fulfilling my obligation enshrined in the Fundamental Law after thoroughly weighing my legal options and my conscience. My signature is the final seal of my obligations as President of the Republic and of my complete and unconditional respect for the office of the President of the Republic under all circumstances. It is a sign that I have upheld Hungary’s Fundamental Law throughout and have not violated it”, he stated. He went on to add that

it is also enduring proof that the fundamental values of a free society—the rule of law, democracy, and the principle of the separation of powers—have been trampled upon for the sake of power. The sole responsibility for this decision lies with those who have the power to amend the Constitution.”

The democratic rule of law that emerged from the legacy of 1956 at the time of the regime change has thus ceased to exist

—declared Tamás Sulyok.

He went on to say that the legitimacy of the President of the Republic, which had remained unchanged since the transition to democracy, has also ceased to exist. Hungary’s next head of state will, in fact, replace a president who was removed through a process that violated constitutional values. He emphasized that

the office of the President of the Republic will become subservient to the executive branch and politics; its role under public law will fade, and its fundamental function will cease to exist. Furthermore, it will no longer serve as any kind of check or balance.

Those who stand firm in their faith and in the truth do not resort to violence, do not revile others, and do not humiliate others in their dignity. I believe that remaining human and humane, true to ourselves and to the truth, despite all attacks and under all circumstances, is the only path worth choosing. Let us cherish all that unites us; let us love Hungary—said the outgoing President of the Republic in closing.

Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reacted to the news with a post saying that

Today, the last barrier has fallen. Tyranny is no longer a threat, but a reality. If this could be done to the President of the Republic, then tomorrow no one will be safe. May God protect Hungary!

 

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Featured Image: Fortepan / Jakab Lajos