ANDRÁS BAKA ELECTED NEW PRESIDENT OF HUNGARY

BUDAPEST, AUGUST 11 /SRNA/ – The Hungarian Parliament today elected András Baka, former President of the Supreme Court, as President of Hungary.

Baka, who was nominated by the Tisza Party, took the oath of office, and will assume the duties of President of Hungary on August 19.

He was elected to this position, which is largely of ceremonial character, with the support of the ruling centre-right Tisza Party, receiving 140 votes in favour and six against in a secret ballot, while 53 MPs were absent.

A two-thirds majority of the 199-member Parliament, or 133 votes, is required to elect a candidate.

MPs from the opposition Fidesz party of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did not take part in the vote.