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. While the Hungarian presidency is largely a ceremonial role, Baka’s tenure is expected to be anything but quiet, as he steps into the position during a period of profound political transformation. His primary task will be to oversee Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s ambitious agenda to dismantle the vast political and economic network built by former leader Viktor Orbán, and to supervise the drafting of a new constitution to replace the one enacted in 2011. In his inaugural address, Baka emphasized a path of reconciliation, stating, „We cannot build the new Hungary on revenge,” and acknowledged the mixed emotions across society, noting that „the majority of society now feels a sense of liberation and hope,” while others experience disappointment, a dynamic he described as natural in a democracy.
The election saw Baka win by a decisive margin of 140 votes to 6, but the vote was marked by protest, as all 51 MPs from Orbán’s Fidesz party walked out before the ballot in response to the recent ousting of their preferred candidate, Tamás Sulyok. Since taking office in early May, the new Magyar government has aggressively moved to dismantle Orbán’s legacy, passing 27 laws and two constitutional amendments. These actions have included canceling the states of emergency that previously allowed for rule by decree, abolishing the Sovereignty Protection Office that was used to target critical journalists, and establishing a new National Asset Recovery and Protection Office with broad authority to investigate alleged corruption under the previous administration. The government has also taken steps to overhaul public media, taking state radio and TV off air to restore their independence from their former role as government propaganda outlets.
Despite the expectation that Baka might act as a compliant figurehead for the ruling Tisza party, his past statements suggest he will fiercely guard the boundaries of his role and the rights of citizens. In a previous BBC interview, he voiced opposition to the constitutional limit on MPs’ terms, calling it an infringement on voters’ rights to freely choose their representatives. Having served 17 years as Hungary’s judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, Baka has positioned himself as a legal purist rather than a politician, stating, „I am not a political man. I got involved in politics through my professional, legal way of thinking.” His presidency is intended to be transitional, likely lasting only until the new constitution is adopted, or a maximum of five years.
Baka’s election also carries an element of historical irony, as Fidesz removed him from his post as Supreme Court president in 2011 for attempting to block their efforts to undermine the rule of law. Now, he finds himself in a position to help reshape the nation’s legal and political framework. In his speech to parliament, he signaled a clear departure from the strongman tendencies of the past, declaring, „The state is not there for itself. It is there for the people.” As Hungary navigates this critical transition, Baka’s judicial integrity and experience will be put to the test, not only in monitoring the government’s actions but also in ensuring that the new foundation of the state respects democratic principles and the will of its citizens.
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