Hungary’s Parliament taps András Baka as president as part of Orbán-era purge

Hungary’s Parliament has chosen former Supreme Court chief justice András Baka as the country’s new president, signaling the dismantling of power structures from the era of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The governing Tisza party secured the election with 140 votes, while Orbán’s far-right Fidesz party abstained. Baka, 74, is set to be sworn in on August 19.

The role of president in Hungary is largely ceremonial, but Baka is tasked with sending bills back to lawmakers or to the Constitutional Court for review. He is expected to lead a government that aims to restore democratic norms and institutional integrity that were weakened during Orbán’s rule.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s administration has argued that the purge of officials appointed during Orbán’s time is necessary to address the deep social and political polarization that emerged during the former leader’s 16 years in power. Baka criticized Orbán’s four successive governments and emphasized that political change should not be achieved through "revenge." He stressed that Hungary cannot build a common future while its citizens view each other as enemies.

Baka’s appointment followed weeks of efforts by Tisza to remove Orbán-era President Tamás Sulyok, whom Fidesz labeled as "Orbán’s puppet." Sulyok was confirmed by Orbán’s party in 2024 and later had his term ended after Tisza passed a constitutional amendment. Baka, who served on the European Court of Human Rights from 1991 to 2008, was removed as chief justice by Orbán’s government in 2011 after criticizing judicial reforms linked to Orbán’s autocratic policies.