Hungarian MPs set to change constitution to remove Orbán-allied President Tamás Sulyok

Hungarian MPs set to change constitution - Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the Request:** * **Role:** Professional editor rewriting articles. * **Task:** Rewrite the provided article into a new, unique version with proper HTML formatting. * **Source URL:** http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/07/13/hungarian-mps-set-to-change-constitution-to-remove-orban-allied-president-tamas-sulyok * **Original Title:** Hungarian MPs set to change constitution to remove Orbán-allied President Tamás Sulyok * **Source Language:** English (must be preserved). * **Rules:** * Output clean HTML (`

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`. * Minimum length: 600 words (mandatory). If source is under 600, expand naturally without adding false info. * Check source word count first. 2. **Analyze the Source Text:** * *Content:* Hungarian MPs voting Monday to change constitution to oust President Tamás Sulyok. PM Péter Magyar (Tisza party) pushing for "regime change" after winning April landslide. Sulyok accused of being Orbán's "puppet." Orbán's 16-year rule, "illiberal" premiership, Trump praise, corruption views. Fidesz protest against 12-point amendment ("autocratic"). Amnesty Int'l & HRW criticism. Jurist Andras Baka support ("captured state"). Magyar has 2/3 majority. Voting at 18:15. Sulyok refuses to resign, calls demands "incomprehensible." Amendment violates rule of law/separation of powers. Impeachment threat if Sulyok doesn't sign. Presidential powers (veto, court review, but not block amendment). Poll: 67% want Sulyok out. Sulyok elected 2024, replaced Katalin Novak. Amendment includes 12-year/3-term limit for lawmakers (blocks opposition 2030). Restores constitutional court budgetary review, mandatory retirement age 70 (reverses 2013). Four sitting members >70 forced out (including Peter Polt). National Asset Recovery and Protection Office created. * *Word Count Check:* The source text looks to be around 450-500 words. I need to ensure the final output is at least 600 words. I will need to expand on the context slightly (e.g., elaborating on the implications of the changes or the political landscape) without inventing facts. 3. **Drafting Strategy:** * **Structure:** * H2: Main Title (Rewritten). * H3: Introduction/Key Event. * P: Details of the vote, Magyar's role, Sulyok's position. * Blockquote: Baka quote. * H3: Political Context & Opposition. * P: Fidesz reaction, international watchdogs. * P: Sulyok's defense and poll numbers. * H3: Constitutional Changes & Implications. * P: The 12-point amendment details (lawmakers, court, asset office). * P: Conclusion/Future outlook. * **Expansion Points:** * Elaborate on the significance of the "captured state" concept mentioned by Baka. * Expand on the timeline (April victory vs. Monday vote). * Detail the specific powers of the new Asset Recovery Office. * Clarify the distinction between ceremonial and actual power in this context. * **Constraint Check:** * Avoid 8+ consecutive words from source. * Use `

` for quotes. * Ensure HTML tags are correct. * Count words to ensure >600. 4. **Drafting - Section by Section (Mental or Scratchpad):** * *Title:* Hungarian Parliament Prepares Constitutional Overhaul to Displace President Sulyok * *Intro:* Lawmakers in Budapest are preparing for a crucial legislative session this coming Monday. The primary objective involves altering the nation's foundational document. This move aims to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office. Prime Minister Péter Magyar is leading this charge. He seeks to diminish the influence of former leader Viktor Orbán. Magyar secured a decisive win during April elections. His campaign centered on transforming the political system after sixteen years of Orbán's dominance. * *Sulyok's Position:* Magyar has publicly labeled Sulyok and other high-ranking officials as mere extensions of his predecessor. The effort to depose Sulyok aligns with broader goals to decentralize authority. Orbán's era was characterized by centralized control and was often described as "illiberal." While Donald Trump commended Orbán's approach, many observers noted systemic corruption. * *Quotes & Reactions:* Fidesz, Orbán's party, organized demonstrations recently. They criticized the twelve-point proposal as authoritarian. However, human rights organizations have voiced concerns as well. Amnesty International emphasized that Sulyok deserves standard legal procedures. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch compared the changes to practices seen during the Fidesz years. * *Baka Quote:* Andras Baka, a former supreme court president, supports the strategy. He believes it paves the way for a fresh constitutional framework. * *Quote:* "In a country governed by the rule of law such extraordinary measures cannot be used, but Hungary became a captured state under Orbán," said Baka. * *Process:* With a two-thirds parliamentary majority, Magyar's Tisza party can proceed without opposition backing. The vote is planned for 18:15 local time, barring any procedural hiccups. Magyar has consistently urged Sulyok to leave his post. He views the seventy-year-old as unfit due to his tolerance of Orbán's aggressive rhetoric. * *Sulyok's Defense:* Sulyok maintains that stepping down is unnecessary. He describes Magyar's requests as illogical and contrary to constitutional norms. He further argues that the amendment undermines democratic principles and the separation of powers. Should the measure pass and Sulyok decline to sign it, impeachment talks will begin. * *Powers & Polls:* Although the presidency is largely symbolic, Sulyok retains the ability to veto legislation or refer matters to the constitutional court. Yet, he cannot halt a constitutional revision. Recent polling indicates strong public sentiment against him. A survey conducted by the 21 Research Centre in May revealed that sixty-seven percent of citizens desire his removal. * *Background:* Sulyok assumed office in 2024 following a parliamentary selection. He succeeded Katalin Novak, who departed after granting clemency to a child abuse convict. Before his election, Sulyok served as head of the constitutional court but remained relatively obscure to the general populace. * *Amendment Details:* Beyond removing Sulyok, the proposal introduces restrictions on legislators. It establishes a twelve-year cap equivalent to three terms. This provision could bar several key opposition figures from seeking re-election in 2030. Additionally, the constitutional court regains authority over budgetary reviews. A mandatory retirement age of seventy is reinstated for judges, overturning a 2013 modification. Consequently, four current members exceeding the age limit must step down. This group includes Peter Polt, the court's president and another close associate of Orbán. * *Asset Office:* Finally, the legislation creates a dedicated National Asset Recovery and Protection Office. This body will possess extensive capabilities to tackle corruption, which critics argue flourished under the previous administration. 5. **Review and Refine (Word Count and Constraints):** * Need to make sure I don't accidentally copy long phrases. * Need to ensure the word count is safely above 600. * Let's check the draft length. It looks a bit short. I need to expand more on the implications and descriptions. * *Expansion:* Add more detail about the "illiberal" nature, the specific nature of the "puppet" accusation, and the historical context of the 2013 amendment reversal. Also, elaborate on the "captured state" concept. 6. **Final Polish (HTML Formatting):** * Wrap in `

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`. * Ensure no markdown like `**bold**` or `*italic*` unless converted to HTML (though the prompt says "clean HTML", usually implies standard tags). I will stick to standard HTML tags. * Check for 8+ consecutive word matches. * Source: "Hungarian lawmakers are set to vote on changing the constitution on Monday" * Draft: "Lawmakers in Budapest are preparing for a crucial legislative session this coming Monday." (Good) * Source: "Prime Minister Péter Magyar pushes to loosen nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orbán's grip" * Draft: "Prime Minister Péter Magyar is leading this charge to diminish the influence of former leader Viktor Orbán." (Good) * Source: "Magyar, who won a landslide victory in April on the promise of 'regime change'" * Draft: "Magyar secured a decisive win during April elections with a platform focused on systemic transformation." (Good) * Source: "accused unpopular President Tamás Sulyok and other top state officials of being his predecessor's 'puppets.'" * Draft: "Magyar has publicly labeled Sulyok and other high-ranking officials as mere extensions of his predecessor." (Good) * Source: "pro-European conservative rushes to undo the concentration of power" * Draft: "The effort to depose Sulyok aligns with broader goals to decentralize authority." (Good) * Source: "Orbán's self-styled 'illiberal' premiership, which won praise from US President Donald Trump" * Draft: "Orbán's era was characterized by centralized control and was often described as 'illiberal.' While Donald Trump commended Orbán's approach..." (Good) * Source: "Fidesz party staged a protest last week, denouncing Magyar's proposed 12-point amendment as 'autocratic'" * Draft: "Fidesz, Orbán's party, organized demonstrations recently. They criticized the twelve-point proposal as authoritarian." (Good) * Source: "Amnesty International said Sulyok was 'entitled to due process'" * Draft: "Amnesty International emphasized that Sulyok deserves standard legal procedures." (Good) * Source: "Human Rights Watch said the tinkering was 'reminiscent of (the) Fidesz era.'" * Draft: "Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch compared the changes to practices seen during the Fidesz years." (Good) * Source: "jurist Andras Baka, a former head of Hungary's supreme court, said the method is justified" * Draft: "Andras Baka, a former supreme court president, supports the strategy." (Good) * Source: "In a country governed by the rule of law such extraordinary measures cannot be used, but Hungary became a captured state under Orbán," * Draft: (Direct quote preserved in blockquote). * Source: "whose mandate was cut short in 2011 with a similar legislative act" * Draft: "Baka's own tenure ended prematurely in 2011 following comparable legislation." (Good) * Source: "State officials like the president 'were appointed not to restrain the government's power, but to ensure the political survival of the former system even after an electoral defeat,'" * Draft: (Direct quote preserved in blockquote). * Source: "As his Tisza party enjoys a two-thirds majority in parliament, Magyar does not need the opposition's support" * Draft: "With a two-thirds parliamentary majority, Magyar's Tisza party can proceed without opposition backing." (Good) * Source: "Voting is scheduled to take place at 18:15 local time if there are no delays." * Draft: "The vote is planned for 18:15 local time, barring any procedural hiccups." (Good) * Source: "Since winning the election, Magyar has repeatedly called on Sulyok to resign" * Draft: "Magyar has consistently urged Sulyok to leave his post." (Good) * Source: "branding the 70-year-old unworthy of the post as a result of his failure to stand up to Orbán's divisive rhetoric" * Draft: "He views the seventy-year-old as unfit due to his tolerance of Orbán's aggressive rhetoric." (Good) * Source: "The president has insisted there is no reason for him to step down, arguing that Magyar's demands are 'incomprehensible' and unconstitutional." * Draft: (Direct quote preserved in blockquote). * Source: "Sulyok also claimed the proposed amendment 'violates the principles of the rule of law, democracy and the separation of powers.'"