Hungary's opposition Tisza party nominates Orbán critic as presidential candidate

Hungary's opposition Tisza party has settled on its candidate for the country's presidency — former Supreme Court president András Baka. The results of the party's secret ballot among lawmakers were announced on Thursday by Tisza leader Péter Magyar on Facebook.

According to Magyar, Baka has consistently upheld the principles of the rule of law and judicial independence throughout his career. "We are convinced that his experience and professional independence are especially valuable at a time when we are together laying the foundations of Hungary's new constitutional order," Magyar said. He added that the country needs a president whose professional reputation and expertise in public and constitutional law can serve as a solid foundation for restoring the rule of law in Hungary.

Who is András Baka

Baka previously headed Hungary's Supreme Court but was removed from the post in 2011 by Viktor Orbán's government. He also served as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights and has long been one of Orbán's outspoken critics.

Opposition to boycott the vote

The presidential election in Hungary's parliament is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11. Under the country's constitution, the head of state is elected by lawmakers rather than directly by citizens.

The previous president, Tamás Sulyok, left office after signing a constitutional amendment in July that ended his term early. Parliamentary Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer, a Tisza party member, is currently serving as acting president.

The ruling Fidesz party has already announced it will not take part in Tuesday's vote. "This is a waste of time. The last legitimately elected president of Hungary is Tamás Sulyok," said Fidesz spokesman Bertalan Havasi.

Tisza's presidential candidate was originally expected to be the renowned Hungarian chess player Judit Polgár, but she ultimately withdrew from consideration. Social media speculation also floated the names of Hungarian-American Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó and Rubik's Cube inventor Ernő Rubik.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz