Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has launched a broad reform campaign called 'Operation Purifying Fire,' aimed at pulling the country out of the grip of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. In a passionate speech to parliament on Monday, Magyar unveiled a series of economic, political, and legal measures.
Under the plan, the government of the Tisza party will enact a new constitution, purge state institutions, establish an anti-corruption office, and remove the current president. 'We will free the country from the captivity of the political and economic gang that has ruled for 16 years,' Magyar declared.
Magyar took office in April, ousting the former prime minister after 16 years in power. Orban's Fidesz party had used its parliamentary majority to control most levers of power in Hungary, and was accused of systemic corruption, steering Hungary closer to Russia, and causing divisions within the European Union.
The reform proposals are part of the Magyar government's effort to implement an agreement with the EU to unlock a total of 16.4 billion euros ($19 billion) in frozen funds, held over rule-of-law concerns under Orban, before the end of August.
A key component is the removal of President Tamas Sulyok. Magyar called on the head of state—appointed by Orban—to resign, and proposed constitutional amendments to dismiss him. Hungary's president has limited formal powers but can slow legislation by returning it to parliament or referring it to the Constitutional Court. Sulyok insisted he has no political agenda. Fidesz lawmaker Gergely Gulyas called Magyar's speech 'slanderous and shocking.'
Magyar's plan calls for electing a new president with a maximum five-year term if Sulyok is removed. A constitutional review with public discussions will begin in September and be put to a referendum. Other changes include an age limit of 70 for Constitutional Court judges, forcing Orban ally Peter Polt into retirement, and capping parliamentary terms at 12 years.
Citing corruption data costing Hungary 8-10% of GDP in recent years, Magyar pledged the new anti-corruption agency would have top talent. 'The best police, the best investigators, and the best experts will work for this agency,' he said.
Earlier this month, Hungary's parliament passed a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministerial terms to eight years, blocking Orban from a future return. Lawmakers also voted to abolish the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty—created in 2023 to protect Hungary from 'foreign influence' and used to investigate Orban's critics. Human Rights Watch ranked closing this office among its top priorities in April, along with 'swiftly meeting rule-of-law milestones' to unlock EU funds.
