BUDAPEST — Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment on Saturday that ends his term in office. The constitutional amendment was passed by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's ruling Tisza party.

The amendment cites society's "serious loss of confidence" in the president as the reason for ending his term. He faced a deadline of five days to sign the amendment or risk impeachment proceedings.

"Being made to sign the amendment was lasting proof that the fundamental values of a free society, the rule of law, democracy, the principle of power-sharing, have been trampled on in the interest of power," Sulyok said. He stated he signed the legislation because it respected the letter of the law.

"The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution has marked a watershed in Hungary's constitutional democracy," he said. He warned that the reform has harmed the rule of law in Hungary.

"By removing public office holders in a manner that openly violates the rule of law... 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," he said. His term will officially end at midnight on Monday.

Parliament Speaker Agnes Forsthoffer will assume the role of interim president from Monday. Parliament will elect a new president to serve until a new constitution takes effect or for a maximum of five years. The Tisza party holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Peter Magyar defeated Viktor Orban in an election in April 2026. Viktor Orban served as prime minister for 16 years. Tamas Sulyok was elected in early 2024 by lawmakers from Viktor Orban's Fidesz party.

Peter Magyar had repeatedly called on Tamas Sulyok to step down prior to the signing. Peter Magyar accused him of failing to represent national unity on major issues. Peter Magyar accused him of serving the interests of Viktor Orban and his government.

"With these decisions, we are restoring something that the Orban regime spent many years trying to take away from the Hungarian people," Magyar said. "The certainty that power can be constrained, that public assets can be recovered, and that the state can once again serve its citizens, free Hungarian citizens," he added.

The amendment imposes a 12-year term limit on lawmakers. The amendment forbids deputies who have served three terms in parliament from standing again. The amendment sets a retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges.

The retirement age requirement will force Constitutional Court President Peter Polt to retire. Peter Polt is an ally of Viktor Orban. The amendment set up an office aimed at investigating financial abuses under the Orban government.

The new government shuttered Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office. "Tyranny is no longer a threat but reality. If this could be done to the President, tomorrow, no one will be safe," Viktor Orban said.

The removal of Tamas Sulyok marks a structural shift in Hungary's executive leadership following the April 2026 election victory of Peter Magyar. The constitutional changes extend beyond the presidency to include term limits for lawmakers and new restrictions on judicial tenure, affecting the composition of the Constitutional Court.

The establishment of an office to investigate financial abuses under the previous government and the closure of the Sovereignty Protection Office signal a broader restructuring of state institutions. The interim appointment of Agnes Forsthoffer and the subsequent parliamentary election of a new president determine the immediate trajectory of the executive branch until a new constitution takes effect.