Hungary elects ex-supreme court chief András Baka as president
The Hungarian Parliament elected András Baka, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court dismissed under Viktor Orbán, as the country's new president. His appointment follows the removal of the previous president, Tamás Sulyok, and marks a shift in the country's political leadership after the April elections.
Consensus
- The Hungarian Parliament elected András Baka as president on August 11.
- Baka previously served as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Hungary from 2009 to 2011.
- Baka was dismissed from his judicial role in 2011 due to criticism of Viktor Orbán's government policies.
- Baka has worked at the European Court of Human Rights for 17 years.
- The new president will assume office on August 19.
- The ruling party 'Tisza' nominated Baka as their candidate.
- 140 members of parliament voted in favor of Baka's candidacy.
- Six members voted against.
- The previous president, Tamás Sulyok, was removed from office via a constitutional amendment passed in July.
- Sulyok signed the constitutional amendment despite calling it unconstitutional.
- The speaker of parliament, Ágnes Forsthofer, will temporarily fulfill presidential duties until August 19.
- The role of the president in Hungary is largely ceremonial, with real power held by the prime minister.
Points of divergence
- The prime minister, Peter Madyaar, initially proposed Judit Polgar, a chess grandmaster, for the presidency, but she declined due to lack of personal strength to bear the historical responsibility. — kommerant
- Madyaar publicly referred to the previous president, Tamás Sulyok, as a 'puppet' and pressured him to resign. — kommerant
- Madyaar apologized for his 'enthusiasm' and 'communication errors' after the failed attempt to appoint Polgar. — kommerant
- The BBC noted that Madyaar's actions aim to weaken Viktor Orbán's lingering influence on state institutions. — meduza
- Baka criticized the leadership of the former ruling party 'Fidesz' in his inaugural speech, accusing them of inciting hatred and organizing subversive campaigns. — tg_echoonline_news
- Baka stated that restoring the rule of law requires a new constitution, independent courts, effective justice, freedom of speech, and accountable governance. — tg_currenttime
- Baka's speech did not mention family values, religion, or nation, despite being nominated by a right-wing government. — tg_echoonline_news
- The former ruling coalition 'Fidesz'–Christian Democratic People's Party announced in advance that they would not participate in the vote. — interfax
- Sulyok called the constitutional amendment 'unconstitutional and antidemocratic' but signed it, 'listening to his conscience'. — fontanka
- Baka was dismissed after criticizing the government's proposal to reduce the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 62. — meduza
Coverage (20 sources)
- Parliament elected András Bakó as President of Hungary, whom Viktor Orbán removed from the post of head of the Supreme Court — ЭХО / Новости
- András Baka, dismissed under Orban, elected new president of Hungary — Настоящее Время
- András Baka elected as new president of Hungary — Коммерсантъ
- New President Elected in Hungary — Интерфакс
- Hungary elected new president — Фонтанка
- Former head of the Supreme Court of Hungary András Bako was elected president of the country — Коммерсантъ
- On August 11, the Hungarian Parliament elected lawyer András Baki as the country's president. — Радио Свобода
- Hungarian Parliament elected new country president. He is former Supreme Court chairman András Baka, fired by Orbán — Meduza
- Hungarian Parliament elected new country president — Ведомости
- András Baka elected president of Hungary — Вести
- Hungarian parliament chooses new president. Only one candidate — BBC News Русская служба
- The 'Jobbik' Party officially nominated András Bakó for the post of President of Hungary — Вести
- Ruling Party of Hungary put forward a candidate for president — Коммерсантъ
- Hungary's new president will be former Supreme Court chairman Viktor Orbán, removed from the post — ЭХО / Новости
- Hungarian Prime Minister spoke about who he sees as the country's future president — Фонтанка
- Ruling Party 'Fidesz' Chose Candidate for Post of New President of Hungary — Настоящее Время
- The Party of Tisa presented its main candidate for the post of President of Hungary. This is the former head of the Supreme Court, who was deprived... — The Insider
- Former head of the Supreme Court of Hungary accepted the proposal to become the country's president — Ведомости
- Former head of the Supreme Court of Hungary agreed to become the country's president — Коммерсантъ
- Former head of the Supreme Court of Hungary accepted the proposal to become president — Вести