Hungary's Tisza party nominates Andras Baka for president ahead of parliamentary vote
Hungary's governing Tisza party has nominated former Supreme Court chief Andras Baka as its candidate for president, in a move that underlines its effort to reshape the country's state institutions after its election victory in April. The nomination was announced on Saturday by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, and parliament is expected to elect Baka on Tuesday. Tisza holds a constitutional majority, making the outcome appear largely settled.
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Baka, who is 73, was chosen by secret ballot within Tisza's parliamentary group, according to Magyar. Party lawmakers said he had consistently defended the separation of powers, the rule of law and judicial independence. They also described his experience as an important asset as the party says it is laying the foundations for a new constitutional order.
The nomination carries symbolic weight because Baka was removed from his post as head of Hungary's Supreme Court in 2012 after criticising reforms introduced under Viktor Orban's government. He had previously served two terms as a judge on the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg before leading the Supreme Court from 2009. The European court later ruled that his dismissal violated his rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression, and the Council of Europe said Hungary had not fully implemented that judgment.
The move comes weeks after Tisza used a constitutional amendment to remove Orban-era President Tamas Sulyok from office. It also reflects the party's broader attempt to dismantle Orban's influence over state institutions after ending his 16-year rule. Hungary's presidency is largely ceremonial, with limited powers to veto or refer legislation, but the post remains politically significant.
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Fidesz, now in opposition, said it would boycott the vote and accused Tisza of authoritarian tactics, allegations the governing party denies. The boycott means the parliamentary vote is likely to proceed without the main opposition party taking part. The dispute adds to the political tension surrounding Tisza's rapid institutional changes since taking office.
What remains unclear is how far Tisza intends to go in revising Hungary's constitutional and institutional framework after Baka's expected election. The immediate next step is Tuesday's parliamentary vote, which should confirm whether the nomination proceeds as planned. The broader significance will depend on whether the party uses its majority to make further changes to the presidency, the courts or other state bodies.
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