Hungary is due to elect its next president on Tuesday, 11 August, with the ceremonial oath of office already listed on Parliament’s official agenda. Before then, the governing Tisza Party’s parliamentary group is expected to decide on Saturday whom it will nominate for the largely ceremonial post. At present, several names are in contention.
No official candidate has yet been announced. However, recent political consultations and public statements have brought four figures to the fore: András Baka, former president of the Supreme Court; Ágnes Forsthoffer, the acting head of state; Ignác Romsics, the distinguished historian; and Botond Fülöp, the lawyer better known as the “Vidéki Prókátor”, or Rural Advocate.
Read our full Substack analysis for detailed profiles of the four leading contenders, an examination of Fidesz’s faltering strategy, and our view that one name is conspicuously absent from this shortlist.
If you missed: PM Magyar: Orbán knew that Hungary’s energy system was on the brink of collapse, but failed to act
