Hungary picks former Supreme Court head Baka as new president

Hungary's parliament has voted to elect former Supreme Court head András Baka as the country's new president, marking a significant shift in leadership following a 16-year rule by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Out of 146 lawmakers present, Baka secured 140 votes in the secret ballot, with only six opposing his candidacy. The Tisza party, which secured a two-thirds majority in the April elections, nominated Baka, who will succeed acting president Agnes Forsthoffer, who has been serving as interim head of state since Orbán removed Tamas Sulyok, an ally, from office in July.

Baka, 73, is a highly respected figure in Hungary and internationally, having held prominent roles as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and as president of Hungary's Supreme Court. Despite his strong credentials, Baka was removed from the Supreme Court presidency in 2011 by Orbán through a controversial constitutional amendment that sought to align the judiciary with his political interests.

Baka later won a labor tribunal case against the state for his unlawful dismissal, highlighting his commitment to judicial independence.

Orbán's crackdown on judicial independence strained relations with the European Union, leading to the withholding of funding that Hungary relies on. The decision to elect Baka underscores a desire for stability and continuity, as the Tisza party, which controls the parliament, aims to restore democratic norms and restore the judiciary's autonomy.