András Baka, a former judge and former president of the Hungarian Supreme Court, was sworn in as Hungary’s new president on August 11. Baka had been removed from his post under Viktor Orbán’s government
Baka was elected in a vote by Hungary’s National Assembly rather than in a direct vote by the people themselves, with 140 votes in his favour and 6 voting against. The vote had been boycotted by the 50 members of Orbán’s right-wing populist Fidesz party, who staged a walk out in protest.
The appointment followed a vote to remove the previous president, the Fidesz-backed Tamás Sulyok. Though the presidency is largely a ceremonial role, Prime Minister Péter Magyar had accused Sulyok of facilitating the corruption seen under Orbán’s government.
Sulyok agreed to sign his own removal into law last month as part of efforts by Magyar to dismantle the Orbán regime.
Read more: Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok ousted, signs own removal into law
Baka’s swearing-in is being seen as a further step in that process. He was removed as head of the Supreme Court by the Orbán government in 2011 after he criticised Orbán’s reduction of the age of mandatory retirement for judges from 70 to 62, describing it as a purge.
His removal, pushed through by Fidesz three years ahead of when his term was due to end, was later found to be unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights.
He was nominated for the Presidency by Magyar, after it was turned down by Hungarian Chess legend Judit Polgár. In a post on Facebook, Magyar’s centre-right Tisza Party stated that “throughout his life, Dr. András Baka has been a prominent advocate for the unity of the Hungarian nation and has held positions of authority in law, judiciary, and constitutional law.”
The incumbent party added that Baka is the strongest guarantee that the republican presidential office will regain its dignity and ability to unite Hungarians.
“We are proud that for the first time since the regime change, the election of the head of state was not decided based on party affiliation or party candidates, but on the basis of a truly independent, non-partisan, with proven expertise in his field and life experience.”
Though nominated by Magyar and Tisza, Baka has said he wants to represent all of Hungary rather than “a single political force,” stating that “there is one thing we certainly cannot do: we cannot build the new Hungary on revenge.”
He has also been critical of key policies by the Magyar government, including the introduction of term limits for MPs, and has stated that he does not see himself as “a political man.”
Now in office, Baka is expected to oversee the drafting of a new constitution that may include public elections for future presidents. He has promised a broad level of debate on the process, though Fidesz has continued to accuse the government of “tyranny” over the ousting of Sulyok.
“The last legitimate president of Hungary is called Tamás Sulyok,” they stated on Facebook. “Baka András, as a lawyer, is participating in a law-breaking procedure, and his advocacy contributes to the dismantling of the democratic institutional system and the establishment of Péter Magyar’s arbitrariness.”
Featured image: TISZA via Facebook
