Key facts
- András Baka, a former judge at the European Court of Human Rights, has been elected as Hungary's president.
- Baka was elected by 140 votes to 6 in the Hungarian parliament.
- He promised to oversee the writing of a new constitution and ensure broad debate.
- The new government has already passed 27 laws and two constitutional amendments, including limiting prime ministerial terms and restoring the Constitutional Court's oversight.
- Baka was previously removed as president of the Supreme Court in 2011 by the Fidesz government.
Hungary's parliament has elected András Baka, a 73-year-old respected judge and former head of the Supreme Court, as the country's new president. Baka, who previously served for 17 years as the Hungarian judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, was elected by 140 votes to 6. His presidency is expected to be significant as he will oversee Prime Minister Péter Magyar's efforts to dismantle the political and economic structures established by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and will also oversee the drafting of a new constitution.
In his inaugural speech, Baka stated, "We cannot build the new Hungary on revenge," and noted that while "the majority of society now feels a sense of liberation and hope," others feel "disappointment and uncertainty." He promised the broadest possible debate on the creation of a new constitution. Since taking office in early May, the Magyar government has moved swiftly to dismantle Orbán's legacy, passing 27 laws and two constitutional amendments. These include the cancellation of states of emergency that Orbán used to govern by decree, the abolition of the Sovereignty Protection Office, and the establishment of a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office with broad powers.
Amendments to the constitution now limit the prime minister to two terms and MPs to three, while restoring the Constitutional Court's ability to oversee parliamentary acts. Fidesz, Orbán's party, has accused the Tisza government of establishing a "tyranny." Ironically, Baka himself was removed as president of the Supreme Court in 2011 by the Fidesz government for attempting to prevent them from undermining the rule of law. Baka has indicated he may not be a "tame" president, expressing opposition to the term limits for MPs as an intrusion on voters' rights. He described himself as "not a political man," stating he became involved in politics through his "professional, legal way of thinking." Baka is considered a transitional figure, likely to serve until a new constitution is adopted, for a maximum of five years. He concluded his speech by emphasizing, "The state is not there for itself. It is there for the people."