Hungary's parliament voted Tuesday to elect former judge András Baka as the country's new president [1].
The appointment signals a significant political shift in Budapest. By selecting a known critic of former leader Viktor Orbán, the current government aims to dismantle institutional structures established during the Orbán era [3].
Baka was approved by the parliament in Budapest on Aug. 11, 2026 [1, 4]. The election was driven by the ruling Tisza party, which currently holds a two-thirds majority in the legislature [1, 3].
The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of Baka, with 140 votes for and six against [1].
Baka brings extensive judicial experience to the presidency. He previously served as the chief of the Supreme Court and spent 17 years as a judge on the European Court of Human Rights [1, 2]. His tenure at the European level provided him with a deep familiarity with international law, and human rights standards.
This election follows the ouster of Baka's predecessor. The Tisza party said Baka's judicial background and his history of criticizing Orbán were key reasons for his selection [3].
As president, Baka will occupy a role that serves as a symbol of national unity, though his appointment is explicitly tied to a broader effort to reform the Hungarian state [3].
“Hungary's parliament voted Tuesday to elect former judge András Baka as the country's new president.”
The election of András Baka represents a deliberate effort by the Tisza party to signal a break from the previous administration's approach to the judiciary and the rule of law. By installing a former European Court of Human Rights judge and an Orbán critic, Hungary is positioning itself to reconcile with European legal norms and reverse the systemic changes implemented over the last decade.
