Statement by the Sándor Palace on certain current issues concerning the constitutional duties of the President of the Republic

The President of the Republic – true to his oath of office – performs his duties in accordance with the Fundamental Law currently in force, as do the members of the Government and the National Assembly. 

In the wake of the parliamentary elections on April 12, statements made by the ruling party and the prime minister have made it clear that a new political demand has been formulated to redefine the role of the president of the republic. 

Calls for the removal of the head of state that are based on political grounds and, as such, cannot be interpreted under the Fundamental Law create a situation that is seriously contradictory within the current constitutional order, which is detrimental to the constitutional functioning and authority of the office of the President of the Republic. 

In addition, the Prime Minister publicly and unequivocally expressed his concern over the fact that the head of state – in accordance with his constitutional duty – may exercise constitutional oversight over the legislative process required to draw down EU funds, which in certain cases could result in delays that hinder access to financial resources. 

It should be emphasized that, as a patriot, the President of the Republic is committed to ensuring that Hungary receives the EU funds to which it is entitled as soon as possible, and that in the course of his tenure to date, he has never once hindered the proper and effective functioning of the branches of government.

The fundamental values of the European Union are also constitutional values. This is why the President of the Republic finds it alarming when anyone views constitutional requirements not as a standard to be upheld, but as obstacles to be circumvented in the legislative process. 

At the same time, the Head of State reiterates and emphatically reaffirms that, as has been the case thus far, he remains ready to cooperate with the Government, the National Assembly, and all constitutional bodies. Provided that legislation and lawmaking serve to uphold and protect fundamental constitutional and EU principles, and are not carried out in violation of them, there is no reason to fear that the Head of State would in any way obstruct or hinder a legislature that has been democratically mandated.

In light of the aforementioned, President Tamás Sulyok requested that the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional law, the European Commission for Democracy through Law, more commonly known as the Venice Commission, to assess the existing constitutional issues and to provide expert assistance in resolving the contentious situation in a manner consistent with European constitutional values.