András Baka Elected Hungary’s New President with 140 Parliamentary Votes
Political
Hungary’s parliament elected former Supreme Court Chief Justice András Baka as the country’s president on August 11. In a secret ballot, 140 lawmakers voted for his candidacy and six voted against, with no abstentions.
Baka was the only candidate for the presidency and was nominated by the ruling Tisza Party. He is expected to take office on August 19. Until then, parliamentary Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer is serving as acting head of state.
The election followed the termination of Tamás Sulyok’s presidential mandate. Sulyok, who had been appointed during Viktor Orbán’s government, left office after parliament adopted the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law and he signed the legislation.
In his inaugural speech, Baka called for the restoration of checks and balances and for ensuring that different political views can be expressed. He said disagreements should not be resolved through force and that violations of the law should be addressed through legal procedures.
“A state exists not for itself, but for the people,” the president-elect said.
The Fidesz party boycotted the vote, calling Baka’s election illegitimate and saying it would continue to recognize Sulyok as head of state. Baka is expected to formally assume the presidency on August 19.
The election followed the termination of Tamás Sulyok’s presidential mandate. Sulyok, who had been appointed during Viktor Orbán’s government, left office after parliament adopted the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law and he signed the legislation.
In his inaugural speech, Baka called for the restoration of checks and balances and for ensuring that different political views can be expressed. He said disagreements should not be resolved through force and that violations of the law should be addressed through legal procedures.
“A state exists not for itself, but for the people,” the president-elect said.
The Fidesz party boycotted the vote, calling Baka’s election illegitimate and saying it would continue to recognize Sulyok as head of state. Baka is expected to formally assume the presidency on August 19.
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