Budapest, Hungary – In a startling turn of events, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has signalled his intention to remove the country's president, a figure appointed during his own tenure, amid a deepening rift within the ruling Fidesz party. The move, which analysts describe as a gamble to consolidate power, raises questions about Hungary's political stability and its relations with Brussels.
The president, Katalin Novák, was elected in 2022 with Orbán's backing. However, recent disagreements over judicial reforms and the pace of EU-aligned anti-corruption measures have soured the relationship. Orbán, who has governed Hungary since 2010, now appears willing to discard his own appointee to maintain control over the party's direction.
The confrontation comes at a critical juncture. The European Commission has frozen billions of euros in funds for Hungary, citing concerns over rule-of-law violations. Orbán's threat to oust Novák is seen as a bid to demonstrate that he remains the ultimate authority in Hungarian politics, even if it means sacrificing a loyalist.
Fidesz has faced internal dissent since the war in Ukraine, with some members calling for a more moderate stance toward Kyiv and the EU. Orbán's unapologetic nationalist agenda has isolated Hungary within the bloc, yet his party remains popular domestically due to its control over media and campaign finance.
Opposition leaders have condemned the potential impeachment, arguing it exposes Orbán's autocratic tendencies. "He is purging anyone who shows even a hint of independence," said Klára Dobrev, a member of the European Parliament from the Democratic Coalition.
EU officials have privately expressed concern that the crisis could paralyse Hungarian decision-making at a time when the bloc needs unity on sanctions against Russia and energy security. A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment on what it described as an internal Hungarian matter.
The political manoeuvre is also a risk for Orbán. Removing a president requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, which Fidesz currently holds. However, the process could expose fractures within the party and alienate moderate voters ahead of European Parliament elections next year.
For now, the immediate outcome rests on whether Novák will resign voluntarily or force a drawn-out legal battle. Orbán has called a special party meeting for next week to decide the next steps. The crisis is likely to dominate the agenda of the upcoming EU summit, where leaders will assess Hungary's commitment to democratic standards.
The situation underscores the fragility of EU unity when faced with a member state that challenges the bloc's core values. As the crisis unfolds, the world watches to see whether Orbán's gamble will strengthen his grip on power or lead to a wider political upheaval.
