Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has firmly declined to step down, despite a deadline set by Prime Minister Péter Magyar that expired on Sunday night. In a video posted on Facebook, Sulyok stated his intention to continue working with the government and to support legislation aimed at unlocking European Union funds for Hungary.
Magyar, who took office in April after a landslide victory, had demanded the resignation of Sulyok, Prosecutor General Gábor Bálint Nagy, and several other senior officials by 31 May. On Sunday afternoon, Magyar reminded the public of the approaching deadline and announced that he and the justice minister would visit the president on Monday morning.
A Clash Over Rule of Law and EU Funds
The standoff comes as Hungary seeks to access billions of euros in frozen EU funds, a process that has been tied to rule-of-law reforms. Sulyok’s refusal to resign adds another layer of tension to the political landscape. Magyar has previously labeled Sulyok as Viktor Orbán’s “puppet president,” arguing that Orbán wanted a head of state whose primary loyalty was to Fidesz, rather than to constitutionalism and national unity.
In his Facebook response, Magyar criticized Sulyok sharply: “Tamás Sulyok has never stood up for the downtrodden, for those under attack, or in defence of the rule of law. Even on Children’s Day he is only defending his monthly salary of 6.3 million forints, instead of apologising.”
Sulyok, for his part, reiterated that he would not resign and that he had turned to the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional matters. He insisted that his case must be handled according to the Hungarian constitution.
Under Hungary’s constitutional system, the president is elected by parliament and holds largely ceremonial powers, though the office also plays a role in the constitutional review of legislation. All presidents elected with Fidesz’s constitutional majority—Pál Schmitt, who resigned after a plagiarism scandal; János Áder; Katalin Novák, who stepped down over a controversial pardon case; and now Tamás Sulyok—have been regarded as loyal supporters of Viktor Orbán’s governments.
The political crisis unfolds against the backdrop of Hungary’s efforts to unlock frozen EU funds. In recent months, Magyar has made progress in Brussels, securing a deal to release €16.4 billion in funds after committing to judicial and anti-corruption reforms. However, the standoff with Sulyok could complicate these efforts. As Hungary unlocks €16.4 billion in EU funds after Magyar's Brussels breakthrough, the president’s defiance may test the government’s ability to maintain momentum on reforms.
Magyar’s visit to the president on Monday morning is expected to be a tense affair. The prime minister has made clear that he views Sulyok’s continued presence as an obstacle to restoring trust in Hungary’s institutions. Meanwhile, Sulyok’s appeal to the Venice Commission suggests he is prepared to fight his corner through legal and constitutional channels.
The outcome of this standoff will have implications beyond Hungary’s borders. The European Commission has been closely monitoring Hungary’s rule-of-law situation, and any further instability could affect the disbursement of remaining funds. As EU Commissioner McGrath: Hungary must reform for its people, not Brussels, the pressure is on Magyar to deliver on his promises of reform while managing a recalcitrant president.
For now, Sulyok remains in office, and the clock is ticking on Magyar’s deadline. The coming days will reveal whether the prime minister can enforce his will or whether the president’s constitutional gambit will buy him more time.
