President Tamás Sulyok’s reply to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding the European Court of Justice ruling on the Child Protection Act

Honourable Prime Minister!

In response to the points set out in your letter concerning your position on the judgment of the European Court of Justice finding that certain provisions of Act LXXIX of 2021, entitled "Act on stricter action against paedophile offenders and on the amendment of certain laws for the protection of children" are incompatible with obligations arising under European Union law, I wish to reaffirm that there is a full national consensus on the need to ensure strict legal protection of children's right to healthy physical, mental and moral development. 

Following the judgment of the European Court of Justice, the task of the national legislature, arising from the principle of legal certainty, is to devise a legislative solution which, while maintaining an adequate level of legal protection for children, ensures the necessary harmony between European Union law, the constitutional requirements of the Fundamental Law, and the relevant provisions of international law, striking a fair balance between them.

To this end, the constitutional bodies with the relevant powers, including the National Assembly and the Government, are bound by a duty of cooperation and share a common responsibility.

I express my sincere hope that the Members of Parliament elected in the April elections, as well as the incoming Government, will meet the above requirements in a manner that is reassuring in light of society’s expectations.
                                                                                 
Yours faithfully,
                                             Dr. Tamás Sulyok

(Budapest, 4 May 2026)