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Hungary’s president must step down under new constitutional amendment — PM

The prime minister confirmed that a new constitution will be drafted in Hungary and later put to a national referendum

BUDAPEST, July 4. /TASS/. The Hungarian government has submitted to parliament a draft of the 17th amendment to the Constitution, under which President Tamas Sulyok must step down from office, Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced.

"The term of office of the current president will expire with the adoption of this amendment," the prime minister said in a video address broadcast on Hungarian TV channels. Magyar argued that Sulyok cannot remain in office because he failed to fulfill his duties and condoned the abuses of the previous administration led by Viktor Orban.

The prime minister confirmed that a new constitution will be drafted in Hungary and later put to a national referendum. "This process will begin in the fall," he specified. In the meantime, amendments will be made to the current constitution, including those concerning the head of state.

A previously published draft of the document stated that "the powers of the incumbent president of the republic shall cease, and parliament shall elect a new head of state within 30 days" after the 17th amendment takes effect. The government explained that the purpose of this measure is "to restore confidence in the office of the head of state and ensure compliance with the constitutional principles governing the exercise of power.".