Hungary: ex-judge Baka nominated as president
The Tisza party has nominated András Baka for the post of president of Hungary after ending the term of office of Tamás Sulyok – who had close ties to Fidesz – through a constitutional amendment. Baka was formerly a judge at the European Court of Human Rights. He was elected president of the Hungarian Supreme Court in 2009, but Fidesz removed him from office in 2011 with a constitutional amendment. Baka's election in parliament is scheduled for Tuesday.
A blatant contradiction
András Baka is contradicting his own principles, the Fidesz-aligned Magyar Nemzet writes:
“The piquant charm of the affair lies with András Baka himself. Do you remember 2011? The press was full of Baka's comments at the time and his sense of grievance when his mandate expired as a result of institutional restructuring. ... Back then, Baka proclaimed to the whole world with astounding vehemence that 'the mandate of public office, which extends beyond electoral cycles, is the guarantee of the rule of law'. Today, however, he is willingly intervening with precisely the kind of retroactive, personalised legislation against which he once raised his fist.”
Reconstruction instead of demolition?
Any assessment of the change of president must be contingent on what it aims to achieve, argues Népszava:
“András Baka was indeed removed from his post as president of the Supreme Court by Fidesz back in 2011, using a similar method [a constitutional amendment passed by a two-thirds majority] to that used recently against Tamás Sulyok of the Tisza Party. ... There is, however, one major difference: Baka's removal at the time was one of countless steps towards the demolition of the rule of law, whereas his election as head of state contributes to its restoration. Or rather: it could contribute to it. ... It is, in itself, encouraging that Tisza is not seeking to appoint a party politician as head of state.”
He can freely follow his principles
For Magyar Hang, András Baka is not believed to be pursuing any self-serving interests:
“Given his track record and previous statements, it's hard to imagine that in his high office he is driven by petty desires for revenge. ... If conflicts arise, it will probably be with the Tisza Party, which governs with the backing of a two-thirds majority. András Baka – who has already criticised the new majority's constitutional amendments – is under no obligation to make concessions to those who elected him because his mandate is limited to a single term of office. For this reason, too, it doesn't make sense for him to become entangled in power struggles.”