Full Breakdown
Hungary’s Parliament Elects Former Supreme Court Chief András Baka as President
8/12/2026, 12:19:57 AM
Core Event
On August 11, Hungary’s 199-member National Assembly elected former Supreme Court president András Baka, 73, as head of state. The secret ballot produced 140 votes in favour and six votes against; the opposition Fidesz party boycotted the vote. Baka’s term will last until a new constitution takes effect or for a maximum of five years, whichever comes first. He is scheduled to assume office on August 19.
Background & Context
Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party won a two-thirds parliamentary majority in the April 2024 election, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. Magyar has pledged to dismantle the “interlocking economic and political powerhouse” built under Orbán. A key step was the removal of Tamás Sulyok, an Orbán-appointed president, whose term was terminated by a constitutional amendment on July 20. The amendment also created the vacancy that Baka now fills.
Baka’s own career reflects the broader struggle over judicial independence. He served as Hungary’s judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) from 1991 to 2008, then as president of the Hungarian Supreme Court from 2009 until his mandate was cut short on December 31, 2011 by a court-restructuring law introduced by Orbán’s government. The ECHR later ruled that removal unlawful.
Data & Statistics
- Vote tally: 140 yes, 6 no, 0 abstentions.
- Age: 73.
- Parliamentary composition: Tisza holds 141 seats (two-thirds majority); Fidesz holds 52 seats.
- Presidential term: Up to five years or until a new constitution is enacted.
Official Statements & Responses
- He pledged not to let “revenge” guide the country’s transformation.
Criticism & Opposition
Fidesz issued a statement accusing Tisza of “arbitrarily and illegitimately terminating” Sulyok’s term and labeled the governing party’s actions “tyranny.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is one thing we certainly cannot do, we cannot build the new Hungary on revenge,” — Andras Baka, supreme court chief
- “We cannot build the new Hungary on revenge,” — András Baka, supreme court chief
- “Throughout his career, Dr. Andras Baka has placed particular importance on the principle of the separation of powers and has consistently stood up for the rule of law and judicial independence,” — Peter Magyar, in prime minister
- “Throughout his career, Dr. András Baka has considered the principle of the separation of powers to be of paramount importance and has consistently stood up for the rule of law and judicial independence,” — Peter Magyar's Tisza, hungarian prime minister
- “His life’s path serves as an example of commitment to a democratic rule of law and constitutional principles,” — Peter Magyar, in prime minister
What’s Next
Baka will be sworn in on August 19 and will oversee the drafting of a new constitution intended to replace Orbán’s 2011 charter. The president’s limited powers include vetoing legislation, referring bills to the Constitutional Court, and representing Hungary internationally. How actively Baka will use these tools to check the Tisza-led government remains to be seen.
