Péter Magyar has announced a referendum on constitutional amendments and is calling for the removal of the Hungarian president
The Hungarian Government is initiating the removal of Tamás Szujók from the office of President and the preparation of a wide-ranging constitutional reform, with a view to putting the amendments to a nationwide referendum.
This was announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar during a speech in parliament, according to BBJ.
According to Magyar, the government is launching proceedings to terminate the president’s powers as part of a ‘purge operation’.
“We are initiating the termination of the president’s powers as part of a ‘purge operation’. The day after the constitutional amendments come into force, Tamás Szujók’s term of office will end, full stop,” said Magyar.
He also announced that parliament would elect a new president to replace Szujok. The new head of state will remain in office until the constitutional process is completed or for a maximum of five years, whichever comes first. According to the Prime Minister, the new president’s main task will be to restore the prestige of the presidential office.
“By the end of his term, President Tamás Szujók has achieved national unity in the sense that everyone wants him to leave,” said the Prime Minister.
Separately, Mádár announced that the government is proposing to limit the maximum term of office for members of parliament to 12 years.
“Our task is not only to dismantle the current political and economic mafia-like system, but also to prevent such a system from being re-established in the future,” he stated.
The Prime Minister emphasised that twelve years is a sufficient period to implement a political programme, demonstrate competence and build a lasting legacy.
Mátyás also announced that a process of comprehensive constitutional reform would begin in September. The plan is to involve the whole of Hungarian society in discussions and debates on key national issues.
Once the preparatory work is complete, the new Constitution will be put to a nationwide referendum.
During his speech, Magyar also mentioned his predecessor, Viktor Orbán, stating that he could not see a single area that had remained untouched by corruption during his time in office.
“There is not a single state institution, economic sector, movable or immovable property, street corner or rooftop that the ousted Orban regime – the Hungarian ‘Cosa Nostra’, the mafia – has not sought to get its hands on,” said Magyar.
