Hungary elects former chief justice András Baka as president amid reforms by new government
Hungary's parliament chose former Supreme Court chief András Baka as president, a move seen as symbolic reversal of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's judicial purge, while Prime Minister Péter Magyar advances constitutional reforms.
Budapest – Hungary’s parliament voted Tuesday to install former head of the country’s highest court, András Baka, as the new president. Baka, who was removed from the judiciary in 2011 after criticizing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s reforms, will serve a largely ceremonial role but is expected to act as a figurehead for the country’s democratic transition.
The election follows the victory of 45-year-old Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who defeated Orbán in a national election four months ago. Since taking office, Magyar has pursued a series of measures aimed at dismantling what he describes as an “illiberal” system, including securing the release of €16 billion in EU-frozen funds, creating an office to recover assets allegedly misappropriated under the previous government, and dissolving several state-linked foundations.
In September, Magyar announced plans for a broad constitutional consultation that could lead to a new constitution approved by referendum. The initiative seeks to replace the 2011 constitution adopted under Orbán, which critics say concentrates power in the ruling party.
The transition also involved the removal of the incumbent president, Tamás Sulyok. After a deadline to resign passed, parliament passed a constitutional amendment that lowered the retirement age for judges and linked the amendment to the termination of Sulyok’s mandate. The amendment also introduced a twelve-year term limit for parliamentary members, a provision that could affect senior figures in the former ruling party.
Baka, who previously served on the European Court of Human Rights, addressed parliament after his election, emphasizing the need for a constitution that enjoys broad societal support and is shaped through public and expert debate.
The developments occur as Hungary grapples with the legacy of Orbán’s constitutional changes and the presence of former loyalists in key offices, which analysts say could influence the success of the reform agenda.