Hungary's ruling Tisza party has formally nominated Andras Baka, 73, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court, as its candidate for the presidency. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Saturday (local time), marking the latest step in Tisza's efforts to reduce the influence of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban over state institutions following the party's overwhelming victory in April's election, which ended Orban's 16-year rule.
The decision to nominate Baka comes just weeks after Tisza amended the constitution to remove President Tamas Sulyok, who was appointed under Orban. Baka is expected to be elected president by parliament next Tuesday, where Tisza holds an absolute majority.
On his personal Facebook page, Prime Minister Peter Magyar called the nomination "one of the most important decisions" the party has made to date. He said the nomination vote was held in secret among Tisza's parliamentarians.
Tisza lawmakers said Baka has always "placed the principle of separation of powers above all, consistently fighting for the rule of law and judicial independence." They also believe his experience is "a vital asset" as the party "lays the foundations for a new constitutional order in Hungary."
Meanwhile, Fidesz, now the opposition party, has declared it will boycott the presidential vote, accusing Tisza of using autocratic tactics. Tisza has rejected the accusation.
Andras Baka served two terms as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg before being elected chief justice of Hungary's Supreme Court in 2009. Two years later, he was removed from office after publicly criticizing Orban's government reforms, which he said threatened judicial independence. The European Court of Human Rights later ruled that his dismissal violated his right to a fair trial and freedom of expression, though the Council of Europe said Hungary had not fully implemented the ruling.
Hungary's presidency is largely ceremonial, with limited veto or referral powers over legislation. However, the nomination of Baka is seen as a strongly symbolic move amid the country's volatile political landscape.
