Former judge removed by Orbán elected Hungarian president

Hungary's parliament has elected 73-year-old András Baka, a respected former judge and head of the Supreme Court, as the country's next president. The role of Hungarian president is largely ceremonial, but Baka's tenure is expected to be tumultuous, as he will oversee the implementation of changes to the constitution and monitor Prime Minister Péter Magyar's efforts to dismantle the economic and political system established by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

During his election speech, Baka emphasized the importance of building a new Hungary based on hope and liberation, rather than revenge. He also promised a broad and inclusive debate on the creation of a new constitution, which is likely to replace Orbán's from 2011. Baka, who served as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights for 17 years, has made it clear that he opposes the government's efforts to limit the number of terms MPs can serve and is committed to upholding the rule of law.