European watchdog to investigate push to remove Hungarian president
A delegation from the Venice Commission will visit Hungary on Thursday to discuss a constitutional reform put forward by the government, Euronews has learned from the body's spokesperson.
The Venice Commission is the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional law.
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok requested the Commission's assessment after the government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar initiated his removal through a constitutional amendment. The Commission is examining the draft legislation under a fast-track procedure.
The spokesperson did not disclose whom the experts will meet during their visit. Both the president and the government have signalled openness to talks.
Magyar has repeatedly called on Sulyok to resign, describing him as "Orbán's puppet". Sulyok has declared the removal bid unlawful and referred the matter to the Venice Commission.
Magyar is seeking to dismantle the remnants of Orbán's political order following his party's landslide victory in April's elections, ending the former prime minister's 16 years in power.
The Office of the President confirmed to Euronews that Sulyok is willing to meet the delegation. Magyar announced last Thursday that the government had invited the Commission to Budapest.
The draft constitutional amendment stipulates that Sulyok's presidential mandate would be terminated the day after the amendment enters into force — well ahead of its scheduled expiry in 2029.
The amendment would also compel several Constitutional Court judges to retire upon reaching the age of 70, and would cap parliamentary mandates at 12 years.
The opposition Fidesz party has repeatedly condemned the initiative as unconstitutional and as an act of political purging.
The Venice Commission can issue opinions and assess whether constitutional changes comply with European standards on the rule of law and democratic governance. Its rulings, however, are not legally binding.
The European Commission told Euronews it is closely monitoring Hungary's constitutional amendment process.