Hungary’s New PM Medgyar Ousts Puppet President, Advances Democratic Reforms

Hungarian President Tamás Szájer signed a constitutional amendment on Saturday that effectively ended his own presidency, marking a significant step in Prime Minister Péter Medgyar’s efforts to dismantle the power structures established by former PM Viktor Orbán. The amendment, passed by Medgyar’s ruling party "Flight," cites a "severe loss of public trust" in Szájer, who was elected in early 2024 by Orbán’s Fidesz party. This move follows a series of actions by Medgyar to purge senior officials appointed by Orbán, accused by critics of enabling an authoritarian regime that undermined democracy in Hungary.

Medgyar, who won a historic general election in April ending Orbán’s 16-year rule, secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority allowing him to amend the constitution and reverse Orbán-era policies. Among these changes is a new eight-year cumulative term limit for prime ministers. Since his victory, Medgyar repeatedly called for Szájer’s resignation, labeling him a "puppet" of Orbán. After Szájer refused, Medgyar’s faction passed the amendment to remove him, giving Szájer five days to sign it. Hours before the deadline, Medgyar posted a photo on social media hinting at Szájer’s imminent ousting.

Szájer, a former constitutional court judge, acknowledged he had no choice but to sign but warned the reform undermined the rule of law and separation of powers in Hungary. Orbán also criticized the amendment, calling it a reality of "tyranny of the majority" and warning of future instability. Following Szájer’s removal, the parliament, dominated by Medgyar’s center-right party, must elect a new president within 30 days. Speaker Ágnes Forsthofer will serve as interim president starting Monday.

The constitutional amendment also imposes a 12-year term limit on lawmakers and a retirement age of 70 for constitutional court judges, forcing the departure of Orbán ally Péter Polt. Medgyar’s government recently suspended public broadcasting services, accused of being Orbán propaganda tools, and shut down the "Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office," seen as a mechanism to intimidate critics and independent media. The amendment includes judicial reforms and establishes a new office to investigate financial corruption under Orbán’s administration, continuing Medgyar’s campaign to restore democratic governance and public trust in Hungary.

Summary: Hungarian President Tamás Szájer signed a constitutional amendment removing himself from office, enabling PM Péter Medgyar to dismantle Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian legacy and advance democratic reforms. Szájer’s ousting follows Medgyar’s April election victory and a parliamentary supermajority that allows constitutional changes. The amendment imposes term limits, judicial reforms, and media restructuring, signaling a major political shift in Hungary.

Points: - Hungarian President Szájer signed a constitutional amendment ending his presidency amid Medgyar’s reforms. - PM Medgyar ousted Orbán’s allies and reversed authoritarian policies after April election win. - Amendment imposes term limits for PM and lawmakers, and retirement age for constitutional judges. - Medgyar’s party holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority enabling constitutional changes. - Szájer warned the reforms harm rule of law; Orbán criticized the "tyranny of the majority." - Parliament must elect a new president within 30 days; interim president appointed.

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