SULYOK: NEW PRESIDENT WILL NOT BE LEGITIMATE

BUDAPEST, JULY 19 /SRNA – RIA Novosti/ - Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok said that his successor would not be legitimate because he would assume the office after a president who was removed from office in violation of constitutional values.

"The legitimacy of the presidency has disappeared, because the next head of state will take office after the president was removed in breach of constitutional values," Sulyok said in a video message published on Facebook.

He emphasized that the presidency is becoming dependent on the executive branch, its legal role is weakening, and its fundamental function is disappearing, as it ceases to serve as any mechanism of checks and balances.

Sulyok yesterday signed a constitutional amendment providing for his removal from office.

He stated that, although the amendment was adopted contrary to constitutional principles, he does not have the authority to oppose constitutional amendments adopted by Parliament through a formally lawful procedure.