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Orbán allies protest in Hungary against government plans to oust president
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Thousands protested in Budapest against the new center-right government's efforts to remove President Tamás Sulyok, following a call to action by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
- The government, led by Péter Magyar who defeated Orbán in April, plans a constitutional amendment to end Sulyok's term, impose parliamentary term limits, reform the judiciary, and create an authority to investigate alleged financial abuses by Orbán's regime.
- Orbán and his Fidesz party claim the move to oust Sulyok threatens democratic norms and is a step toward dictatorship, while supporters of the new government argue Sulyok failed to oppose Orbán's antidemocratic actions.
- The largely ceremonial president has the power to sign legislation and refer bills to the constitutional court, raising concerns that Sulyok could obstruct the new government's agenda.
- Since taking office, Magyar’s government has acted on campaign promises, including suspending Hungary’s public TV and radio news service, which it accuses of serving as Orbán’s propaganda tool.
