Hungary Parliament Elects Critic Andras Baka as President in Shift from Orbán Era

In a surprise political realignment, the former Supreme Court chief has been elected as Hungary’s new head of state, signaling a potential departure from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s long-standing influence.

BUDAPEST — In a development that has sent ripples through the European political landscape, the Hungarian parliament has elected Andras Baka, a former chief of the Supreme Court and a known critic of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as the nation's new president. The election marks a significant pivot point for Hungary, a country that has been under the firm grip of Orbán’s Fidesz party for years. Baka, who previously clashed with the government during his tenure as head of the judiciary, is widely viewed as a candidate who could represent a check on the executive branch’s sweeping powers. Int…