A former top judge could soon return to the center of Hungary’s political system after an unexpected proposal reshaped the presidential race.
The Tisza Party, led by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, has nominated former Supreme Court President András Baka as its candidate for president. The parliamentary vote on his candidacy is scheduled for August 11.
Péter Magyar announced this on Facebook. According to him, Hungary needs a head of state with experience in constitutional law who can help return the country to the principles of the rule of law and constitutional governance.
Over the course of several weeks, the party considered dozens of candidates put forward by citizens. Following an internal vote, the parliamentary group settled on András Baka. The candidate himself has already accepted the offer to lead the country.
We are proud that, for the first time since the change of regime, the choice of head of state was made not on the basis of party agreements or a selection from among party candidates, but by putting forward as the leader of the nation a truly independent, nonpartisan person whose authority has already been confirmed by his professional work and life journey
– Péter Magyar
Who Is András Baka?
András Baka is a lawyer who worked at the European Court of Human Rights from 1991 to 2008. In 2009, he became president of Hungary’s Supreme Court.
In 2011, Baka was dismissed after a constitutional reform was carried out. He himself claimed that the reason was his public criticism of the judicial reform introduced by the government of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The European Court of Human Rights found that his dismissal was connected to his statements regarding the reform.
Magyar Previously Offered the Position to Judit Polgár
Before nominating András Baka, Péter Magyar offered Hungarian chess player and grandmaster Judit Polgár the opportunity to temporarily serve as president. She declined the offer.
Magyar explained that he would have liked to see Polgár hold the position until a new constitution was adopted. After she declined, the prime minister said he regretted her decision but respected it.
What Happened to Tamás Sulyok?
Tamás Sulyok was Hungary’s previous president. After winning the parliamentary elections, Péter Magyar called on him to leave office and ask the winner to form a government.
I call on the president of the republic to immediately ask the winner to form a government and then resign. I call on all the puppets who have been in power over the past 16 years to do the same
– Péter Magyar
Later, the Hungarian parliament voted for constitutional amendments providing for Sulyok’s removal from office. A few days later, the former president signed the amendments, explaining that in such a situation he either had to fulfill his constitutional duty or refuse to sign and violate the law.
The official termination of his powers was scheduled for July 20. After that, the presidency is to be assumed by the candidate nominated by the Tisza Party: András Baka.