Hungary's National Assembly elected former Supreme Court chief András Baka as president on Tuesday, July 13, 2026 [1].
The appointment represents a significant shift in the country's leadership as the new government seeks to roll back the influence of Viktor Orbán. Baka is a known critic of the former premier, whose 16-year rule deeply reshaped Hungarian institutions.
The election took place in Budapest at the National Assembly [2]. The presidency in Hungary is a largely ceremonial post, but the selection of Baka serves as a symbolic break from the previous era. The move is part of a broader effort by Prime Minister Peter Magyar to purge loyalists and dismantle structures installed during Orbán's tenure [3].
To clear the path for this appointment, the parliament utilized a specific legal mechanism. The government passed the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law to remove the previous president [4]. This constitutional change allowed the administration to reset the executive office and install a figure aligned with the current government's goals.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar led the move to restructure the presidency [5]. The administration said that the removal of Orbán-era figures is essential to restoring the country's democratic framework. By placing a former judicial leader in the role, the government aims to signal a return to the rule of law.
Baka's history as the head of the Supreme Court makes him a focal point for those hoping to see judicial and executive independence restored. His tenure at the court was often marked by tension with the previous administration, which frequently targeted the judiciary to consolidate power [3].
“The appointment of a prominent Viktor Orbán critic marks a push by Prime Minister Peter Magyar to dismantle the former leader's legacy.”
The election of András Baka is more than a personnel change; it is a strategic use of constitutional amendments to erase the institutional footprint of Viktor Orbán. By replacing a loyalist with a former judicial critic, Prime Minister Peter Magyar is attempting to signal to both domestic voters and international partners that Hungary is actively reversing the systemic centralization of power that characterized the previous 16 years.
