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Tisza Party Picks Ex-Supreme Court Chief Baka, Opposition Boycotts

8/8/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The ruling Tisza Party nominated former Supreme Court president András Baka as Hungary’s presidential candidate.
The Tisza parliamentary group, with 141 of 199 seats, selected Baka by secret ballot despite his 2011 dismissal.
The vote is set for Tuesday 11 August.
The elected president could assume office on 19 August.
Fidesz and KDNP will boycott, claiming the presidency is not vacant and the election illegal.

History

Historical Context

In August 1990 the National Assembly elected dissident Árpád Göncz president by indirect vote, marking Hungary’s break from Soviet-era rule. After the 12 April 2026 parliamentary election gave the Tisza Party a two-thirds supermajority (141 of 199 seats), the party nominated former Supreme Court chief András Baka for the early presidential poll set for 11 August 2026.

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Story summary

The ruling Tisza Party nominated former Supreme Court president András Baka as Hungary’s presidential candidate.
The Tisza parliamentary group, with 141 of 199 seats, selected Baka by secret ballot despite his 2011 dismissal.
The vote is set for Tuesday 11 August.
The elected president could assume office on 19 August.
Fidesz and KDNP will boycott, claiming the presidency is not vacant and the election illegal.

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