András Baka, 73, a former head of the Supreme Court, has been elected as Hungary's new president by the nation's parliament. The largely ceremonial role comes as the current government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, actively seeks to dismantle the political and economic structures established during the tenure of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar's government has been swift in its reforms since taking office in early May.
Baka's election followed a vote in Parliament where he secured 140 votes to 6. Members of Orbán's Fidesz party walked out of the chamber before the vote in protest of the removal of their preferred candidate, Tamás Sulyok. In his inaugural address, Baka emphasized unity, stating, "We cannot build the new Hungary on revenge." He acknowledged the mixed public sentiment, noting, "The majority of society now feels a sense of liberation and hope. Others feel disappointment and uncertainty." He added, "In a democratic society, this is not an anomaly, but a natural state of affairs."
Since early May, the Magyar government has enacted significant changes. Twenty-seven laws and two constitutional amendments have been passed. States of emergency, previously utilized by Orbán to govern by decree, have been canceled. The Sovereignty Protection Office, which had been used to target critical journalists and NGOs, has been abolished. In its place, a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office has been established with broad powers to investigate alleged theft of state funds under the previous administration. Fidesz has accused the current government of establishing a "tyranny," ironically echoing actions taken by the party when they removed Baka from his Supreme Court presidency in 2011 for opposing their efforts to undermine the rule of law.
Public service broadcasting has also undergone changes, with news programs being revamped since July 9, aiming to restore independence from what is described as their Fidesz-era role as government propaganda outlets. Constitutional amendments have introduced term limits for the prime minister, restricting them to two terms, and for members of parliament, limiting them to three terms. The authority of the Constitutional Court to review parliamentary acts, which had been curtailed by Fidesz, has been reinstated.
Baka, who served for 17 years as Hungary's judge at the European Court of Human Rights, has expressed reservations about term limits, viewing them as an infringement on voters' rights to choose their representatives freely. He stated in a BBC interview prior to his election that he is "not a political man" and became involved in politics through his "professional, legal way of thinking."
Baka's presidency is seen as transitional, with his term likely lasting until a new constitution is adopted or for a maximum of five years. He has indicated an intention to challenge the tendency towards powerful leadership in Hungary, asserting in his speech, "The state is not there for itself. It is there for the people."