In Hungary, András Baka Officially Took Office As President

• 19.08.2026, 12:13

The politician previously served as president of the Hungarian Supreme Court and was removed from office by Orbán.

On Wednesday, August 19, András Baka officially took office as President of Hungary.

This was announced by the country’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar on social media.

According to Magyar, Baka, who was elected as Hungary’s new president by the National Assembly on August 11, has officially taken office.

“I wish the president success in his work, good health, and as much humanity as possible,” the Hungarian prime minister emphasized.

From 1991 to 2008, Baka served at the European Court of Human Rights. After that, in 2009, the lawyer became president of the Hungarian Supreme Court. His tenure lasted two years, as he was dismissed following a constitutional reform. Baka himself believes that his dismissal was linked to his criticism of the judicial reform pushed by Viktor Orbán’s government.

As is well known, on July 18, Baka’s predecessor, Tamás Szujók, had already signed constitutional amendments that, among other things, provide for the early termination of his presidential powers.

After the Hungarian parliament—where Péter Magyar’s “Tisza” party holds a constitutional majority—approved the constitutional amendments, Szujok had five days to sign the decision or veto it.

During the election campaign, “Tisa” party leader Péter Magyar promised that, if his party secured a constitutional majority, he would amend the Constitution and remove from office officials appointed by the previous administration, whom he called “puppets” Orbán, including President Szujok.