Sulyok appointed president by Hungary’s ruling party

Hungary names Judge Tamas Sulyok as president amid a political crisis following Katalin Novak’s resignation over a controversial pardon decision

Hungary’s ruling party has nominated Judge Tamas Sulyok as the nominee for the country’s new president, aiming to quell a political crisis following the resignation of the previous head of state.

President Katalin Novak, a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, stepped down earlier this month amid controversy over her pardoning of a man convicted in a child sexual abuse cover-up, sparking protests in Budapest. While Novak’s resignation has yet to be officially accepted through a parliamentary vote, it is expected to occur on Feb. 26 when parliament reconvenes.

The ruling Fidesz party of Hungary has chosen Sulyok, the current president of the Constitutional Court of Hungary, as their pick to replace Novak.

According to Fidesz parliamentary group leader Mate Kocsis, “(Sulyok) is seen as the ideal candidate to symbolize the unity of the nation.”

At 67 years old, Sulyok, who maintains a low profile, was appointed as president of the Constitutional Court of Hungary by the Fidesz-led parliament in 2016. Prior to this role, he served as the honorary consul of Austria from 2000 to 2014 before becoming a member of the Constitutional Court.

“I have never had any interest in politics throughout my life,” he said in an interview with local media in 2021.

Sulyok’s nomination still requires formal endorsement from Hungary’s parliament, although this is largely seen as a formality given Fidesz’s supermajority.

Source: Newsroom

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