Former Judge Removed by Orbán Elected as Hungarian President

Hungary's parliament elected András Baka, 73, as the country's new head of state on Tuesday, completing a remarkable political reversal for the former judge who was unlawfully dismissed by Viktor Orbán's government in 2011. The vote was 140 to 6, with all 51 Fidesz MPs walking out before the ballot in protest.

A Symbolic Victory for Rule of Law

Baka served 17 years as Hungary's judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Orbán's government removed him from his post as Supreme Court president after he attempted to block legislation that undermined judicial independence. Baka later won his case before the European Court of Human Rights.

His election as president is widely seen as a clear signal that Hungary is returning to the rule of law after over a decade under Orbán's governance.

Baka's Message to Parliament

Baka told parliament after the vote: we cannot build the new Hungary on revenge. The majority of society now feels a sense of liberation and hope. Others feel disappointment and uncertainty. In a democratic society, this is not an anomaly, but a natural state of affairs. He also promised the broadest possible debate on creating a new constitution to replace Orbán's 2011 document.

Sweeping Changes Already Under Way

Since taking office in May, Prime Minister Péter Magyar's government has passed 27 new laws and two constitutional amendments. The states of emergency Orbán used to rule by decree were all lifted. The Sovereignty Protection Office, used under Fidesz to target critical journalists and NGOs, was abolished. A new National Asset Recovery and Protection Office was established to investigate those accused of siphoning state funds under the former government. European politics observers describe Hungary's transformation as one of the most significant democratic reversals in recent European history.