Hungarian politicians are set to vote on a major change to the country's constitution to remove the president from office. The vote is part of a plan by the new PM, Peter Magyar, to clear out allies of the former leader, Viktor Orban.
Peter Magyar won a landslide victory in April, ending 16 years of rule by the nationalist leader Viktor Orban. The new pro-European prime minister has accused President Tamas Sulyok of being a puppet for the old government.
The push to remove the president is aimed at dismantling the centralised power built by the previous administration. Supporters of Viktor Orban held protests last week, calling the changes undemocratic. Some human rights groups have also raised concerns, stating that the president deserves a fair legal process.
However, some legal experts support the quick action. They argue that extraordinary steps are needed because the old government had taken total control of state institutions.
Because the ruling Tisza party holds a powerful two-thirds majority in parliament, the prime minister can pass the changes without any opposition support. The vote is scheduled for Monday evening in Budapest.
Public opinion polls show that 67 per cent of Hungarian voters want the president to step down. The 70-year-old president has refused to resign, calling the demands unconstitutional.
While the president's role is mostly symbolic, the officeholder can slow down new laws. If the amendment passes and the president refuses to sign it, Peter Magyar warned that his party will start official impeachment proceedings.
The constitutional package also introduces other big reforms. It sets a strict 12-year limit for all members of parliament. It also introduces a mandatory retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges, which will force out four judges linked to the old government. Finally, the bill will create a new anti-corruption agency to investigate state spending.
