Here’s what you need to know about Hungary’s new president, Tamas Sulyok

On February 27, 2024, Hungary’s parliament elected Tamas Sulyok as the country’s new president, succeeding Janos Ader, who resigned earlier the same month over a controversial pardon. Sulyok, who was the sole candidate for the post, received 134 votes of 139 valid ballots, with five lawmakers voting against him.

Sulyok will assume office as the seventh Hungarian president since the 1989-1990 change of political system on March 5. In this article, we will explore who Tamas Sulyok is, what his views and values are, and what his roles and responsibilities are as the head of state.

Who is Tamas Sulyok?

Tamas Sulyok is a 67-year-old lawyer, judge, and academic, who has been serving as the president of the Constitutional Court since 2016. He was born on March 24, 1956, in Kiskunfelegyhaza, a town in southern Hungary.

He graduated from the Faculty of Public Sciences and Law of the Jozsef Attila University of Szeged in 1980 and obtained a PhD from the same university in 2013. He also gained a qualification in European law from Budapest’s ELTE University in 2004.

Sulyok started his career as a legal adviser at the Ministry of Justice in 1980 and later worked as a judge at the Szeged County Court and the Szeged Regional Court of Appeal.

Between 1997 and 2014, he headed a private legal practice, and from 2000 until he was elected a constitutional judge in 2014, he was the honorary consul of Austria in Szeged. Since 2005, he has been teaching constitutional law as a visiting lecturer at Szeged University.

Sulyok was elected as a constitutional judge by the parliament in 2014 and became the deputy president of the Constitutional Court in 2015. In 2016, he was elected as the president of the court, succeeding Peter Paczolay.

As the head of the Constitutional Court, Sulyok has been involved in several important and controversial cases, such as the constitutionality of the government’s anti-immigration policies, the legality of the Central European University’s operation, and the validity of the 2018 parliamentary elections.

Sulyok is married and has two children. He speaks German and English. He is a Roman Catholic and a member of the Order of Malta. He enjoys reading, hiking, and gardening.

What are his views and values?

Sulyok is considered to be a conservative and a loyalist to the ruling Fidesz party and its leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He has expressed his support for the government’s policies and actions, such as the protection of national sovereignty and identity, the preservation of Christian values and culture, and the opposition to the EU’s interference and criticism.

He has also defended the government’s controversial reforms and measures, such as the amendment of the constitution, the restriction of the media and civil society, and the crackdown on the opposition and the judiciary.

Sulyok has also stated his views and values on various issues and topics, such as:

• The role of the president: Sulyok has said that he respects the constitutional framework and the ceremonial nature of the presidency and that he does not intend to interfere with the government’s work or to challenge the parliament’s decisions. He has also said that he will use his powers and prerogatives, such as the appointment of officials, the bestowal of awards, and the granting of clemency, in a transparent and accountable manner, and that he will consult with the relevant parties and experts before making any decisions.

• The rule of law and democracy: Sulyok has said that he is committed to upholding and promoting the rule of law and democracy in Hungary and that he will protect and enforce the constitution and the constitutional order. He has also said that he will respect and support the independence and integrity of the judiciary and that he will cooperate and communicate with the other constitutional organs and institutions, such as the ombudsman, the prosecutor general, and the state audit office.

• The EU and international relations: Sulyok has said that he is in favour of Hungary’s membership and participation in the EU and that he will represent and advocate for the country’s interests and positions in the European and international arena. He has also said that he will maintain and develop good relations and cooperation with the other EU member states and the neighbouring countries and that he will seek dialogue and understanding with the other partners and allies, such as the US, NATO, and the UN.

What are his roles and responsibilities?

According to the constitution, the president of Hungary is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is elected by the parliament for a term of five years and can be re-elected once. The president has the following roles and responsibilities:

• To represent the unity of the nation and the state, and to safeguard the constitutional order and the democratic functioning of the state organs.

• To initiate legislation, to sign and promulgate laws, and to request the review of laws by the Constitutional Court.

• To appoint and dismiss the prime minister, the ministers, the heads of the constitutional organs and institutions, and other high-ranking officials, based on the proposal of the prime minister or the parliament.

• To dissolve the parliament and call for new elections, in case of a prolonged deadlock or crisis in the legislative branch.