Hungary's Speaker of Parliament to Serve as Acting President Until Elections
Following constitutional amendments taking effect, Hungary's Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer will assume presidential duties until a new head of state is elected.
Hungary's Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer has announced that she will perform the duties of the president after constitutional amendments providing for the early termination of President Tamás Sulyok's powers come into force. Forsthoffer made the announcement on Facebook.
Forsthoffer noted that Sulyok's term expires on July 20. Until a new president is elected, she, as the head of the National Assembly, will carry out the president's responsibilities. She pledged to fulfill this task in accordance with the Fundamental Law and Hungary's constitutional order, with due regard for the dignity of the office and to the best of her knowledge and ability. During the transition period, she will act in a balanced, impartial manner and in the national interest.
While acting as president, Forsthoffer will not be able to exercise her parliamentary rights. According to the law, the duties of the speaker will be temporarily fulfilled by a deputy speaker appointed by the National Assembly. Forsthoffer has submitted a written proposal appointing Deputy Speaker Anikó Nagy to the role.
On July 18, Sulyok signed constitutional amendments that, among other things, provide for the early termination of his presidential term. After the Hungarian parliament, where Péter Magyar's Tisza party holds a constitutional majority, approved the amendments, Sulyok had five days to sign or veto them. The deadline expired on Saturday.
It is worth recalling that former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's call for a protest against Magyar's attempt to remove the president did not receive widespread public support.
