János Áder, the former President of Hungary, has issued a strong rebuke against the proposed removal of current President Tamás Sulyok, describing it as a “constitutional coup” and a potential violation of Hungary’s constitutional framework. Áder expressed his concerns during a podcast interview, emphasizing that political disagreements should not serve as a basis for initiating legal proceedings against the president. He highlighted that the Hungarian constitution mandates that the removal of a president necessitates an impeachment process, which requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority along with evidence of constitutional or legal infractions.
The contentious 17th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law seeks to enforce the immediate ousting of President Sulyok upon its enactment. Áder criticized this move, arguing that it circumvents the established constitutional impeachment process and effectively constitutes retroactive legislation, which he deemed unconstitutional. He underscored that accusations against Sulyok, alleging inadequate responses to political controversies, are political in nature rather than legal violations that would warrant his removal from office.
Áder warned that removing the president through a constitutional amendment, rather than following the prescribed legal procedures, could severely undermine the legitimacy of the presidency and erode the rule of law in Hungary. He cautioned that any successor appointed under such conditions would face significant challenges regarding their constitutional legitimacy and their capacity to embody national unity.
In Áder’s view, the legitimacy of the presidency is fundamentally intertwined with adherence to constitutional procedures. He stressed that bypassing these procedures not only threatens the stability of the political system but also raises questions about the authority of any future presidents appointed in this manner. By circumventing the established impeachment process, Áder argued, the amendment could set a dangerous precedent that compromises the integrity of Hungary’s constitutional order.