Hungarian parliament elects former judge András Baka as president
Hungary's parliament has elected former Supreme Court chief András Baka as president following a nomination by the Tisza party.
Hungary's National Assembly has elected legal scholar and former Supreme Court chief András Baka as the country's new president. Nominated by the opposition Tisza party, the 73-year-old received 140 votes in a secret ballot. Lawmakers from the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition boycotted the vote, while the far-right Mi Hazánk party voted against his appointment.
Baka previously headed the Supreme Court until 2012, when Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration removed him prematurely through constitutional amendments. His presidential mandate will last up to five years or until a new constitution is adopted, with drafting expected to begin this autumn. Addressing parliament following the vote, Baka emphasized that an election result alone does not restore the rule of law.
Sources: Telex, 444, HVG, Denník N, Rzeczpospolita
How outlets assessed this
- Aug 11, 2026, 09:30 PM UTC
- HVG Supportive Framed Baka as a figure who can restore the dignity and reputation of the presidential office.
- Denník N Cautious Highlighted Baka's independence, noting his presidency could potentially place checks on Tisza's future government.
Sources
- Rzeczpospolita — 73-latek ma zostać prezydentem Węgier. Partia Magyara wybrała kandydata
- Telex — Baka András: Egy választási eredmény önmagában nem állítja helyre a jogállamot
- Denník N — Maďarsko má nového prezidenta, Tisza si zvolila právnika, ktorý môže obmedzovať jej vládu
- 444 — Orbán rendszerének páriája volt, most köztársasági elnök lett
- HVG — Nézze meg Baka András első államfői beszédét – videó