Magyar has a large number of parliamentarians. But the reforms must be written, enacted and able to withstand legal challenges. Key positions – including the presidency, the head of the constitutional court and the chief prosecutor – remain occupied by Orbán supporters who could block reforms.
Trying to remove them could lead to a constitutional crisis, said John Morijn, professor of law and politics in international relations at the University of Groningen.
“It is very difficult to restore the rule of law without breaking the law,” Morijn said. Removing judicial officials would be “a very draconian thing,” he added. “He would be breaking the constitution as well, and the Commission does not want to be associated with that. You will face a constitutional crisis.”
Magyar has accepted some limits. After saying that he would present Hungary’s intention to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, António Costa, he added: “We cannot accept proposals for amendments that may contradict the Hungarian constitutional system. I think the European Commission will understand this.”
Poland also weighs on Brussels.
After Donald Tusk came to power in the 2023 Polish elections, the Commission withdrew more than 100 billion Euros after Warsaw. presented a plan for judicial reform and take initial steps to rebuild trust. But President Karol Nawrocki, loyal to the Law and Justice party, later blocked important reforms, fueling criticism that the Commission had given money to promises rather than real changes.
