Hungary's Tisza party nominates Orban critic András Baka for presidency

Nomination

Hungary's governing Tisza party nominated András Baka, a former head of the Supreme Court, as its candidate for the country's presidency on Saturday. The nomination, announced by Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Facebook, followed a secret ballot within the party's parliamentary group after talks with ten candidates. Baka, described by Tisza as an independent authority whose career has proven his commitment to democratic rule of law, is expected to be elected by parliament on Tuesday, where Tisza holds a two-thirds constitutional majority. The first round of voting requires a two-thirds majority, while a second round requires 50 percent of votes. The nomination deadline closes Monday at 10:00 a.m.

A judge removed by Orban

Baka was elected president of the Supreme Court in 2009 and removed in 2011, three years before the end of his term, after publicly criticising Orban's judicial reforms as a threat to the rule of law. The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2016 that his dismissal violated his rights to a fair trial and freedom of expression, a judgement the Council of Europe said Hungary failed to fully implement. From 1991 to 2008, Baka served two terms as a judge at the ECHR in Strasbourg. He was also an independent member of parliament in 1990 and 1991 as part of the MDF parliamentary group.

Tisza's institutional overhaul

The nomination is the latest step in Magyar's effort to dismantle Orban's influence over state institutions since Tisza's election victory in April ended Orban's 16-year rule. On July 20, parliament used a constitutional amendment to remove Orban-era President Tamas Sulyok, whom Magyar called a "marionette" of Orban. Sulyok signed the amendment ending his own presidency. Magyar had asked the public for suggestions, saying in a video message, "Let us make the decision together." The presidency is largely ceremonial, with limited powers to veto legislation, refer laws for review, and grant pardons.

Second attempt

The nomination is Magyar's second attempt to fill the presidency. His first attempt, nominating chess grandmaster Judit Polgar, fell apart when Polgar declined, saying she did not feel called or able to hold the highest state office. The Tisza party said it was the first time since the regime change that a candidate was chosen "independently of party political preferences."

Opposition reaction

Fidesz, Orban's party now in opposition, said it would boycott Tuesday's vote and field no candidate, accusing Tisza of authoritarian tactics. Tisza denies the allegations. The opposition party Mi Hazank has a candidate, lawyer Mate Toth, but lacks the 40 lawmakers needed to formally nominate him. The newly elected head of state takes office on the eighth day after the election result is announced.