On August 8, according to Xinhua news agency, the ruling Tisza party in Hungary nominated former Supreme Court Chief Justice Andras Baka as a presidential candidate, before the vote in Parliament scheduled for August 11.
According to a statement from the Tisza party, Mr. Baka, 73 years old, was selected by the party's parliamentary group in a secret ballot from a list of 3 candidates.
Mr. Baka served as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights from 1991 to 2008. In 2009, the Hungarian Parliament elected him as President of the Supreme Court, a position equivalent to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
However, Mr. Baka's term was shortened in 2011, after the government of then Prime Minister Viktor Orban of the Fidesz party carried out judicial system reforms. After that, he continued to be a judge at Hungary's highest court.
The Tisza Party said that Mr. Baka throughout his career persistently defended the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the principle of decentralization.
According to Hungarian regulations, a presidential candidate must receive the support of at least 1/5 of a total of 199 parliamentarians, equivalent to 40 parliamentarians, to be eligible for nomination.
The Tisza party said that Mr. Baka is likely to be the only candidate to appear on the ballot in the upcoming presidential election.
The election took place after the term of former President Tamas Sulyok ended on the night of July 20, according to the 17th Amendment to the Hungarian Basic Law.
Currently, Parliament Speaker Agnes Forsthoffer is temporarily holding the position of President.
According to Hungarian Basic Law, Parliament must elect a new President within 30 days from the end of the predecessor's term.
The President of Hungary is elected by Parliament instead of direct elections. According to current regulations, the President holds the role of head of state, while the power to run the government belongs to the Prime Minister.
The Tisza party's selection of Mr. Baka takes place in the context of the Hungarian political arena undergoing many upheavals before the parliamentary elections. This party is seeking to consolidate its political position and deliver messages emphasizing the rule of law, judicial independence and decentralization.
