Hungary elects top court chief as president after Novak's resignation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Feb 2024 14:35

Amid growing pressures, Hungary's President has resigned and Tamas Sulyok, a top Hungarian lawmaker, has been elected for the next five years.

Tamas Sulyok, left, the head of Hungary's Constitutional Court, stands before a parliament vote to elect him as president, in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, February 26, 2024. (AP)

Following Katalin Novak's unexpected resignation from her post as President, Hungary elected Constitutional Court Chief Tamas Sulyok as the country's next president on Monday, Reuters revealed.

Novak, who was conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban's close ally, resigned unexpectedly due to compiled pressure after she pardoned a man convicted of child sexual abuse cover-ups.

However, Sulyok, who was elected for five years by Orban's ruling party in parliament, could help Orban repolish the government's image, specifically for its promotion of family and Christian values.

"Just as a lawyer, also as President of the Republic, I can best serve the public good and stand for the unity of the nation by upholding the fundamental values of the law," Sulyok said in the wake of his election. He also vowed to foster and maintain transparency regarding presidential awards and pardons.

🗳️ Today, the Hungarian Parliament elected Tamás Sulyok as the next President of Hungary.

Congratulations Mr. President! May God bless your work! 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/kuIr6Qsx3s
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) February 26, 2024

Hungary approved Sweden's NATO bid

In another Monday vote, the Hungarian parliament approved Sweden's bid to join the NATO alliance.

The vote, which was streamed on the Parliament's website, showed 188 deputies voting in favor, six against, and four abstentions.

Hungary’s parliament votes 188-6 to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO after more than 18 months of stalling, allowing the Nordic country to clear a final hurdle that had blocked its membership. pic.twitter.com/gHImG1W9fB
— The Recount (@therecount) February 26, 2024

Last Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told reporters that he and Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson have "managed to clarify our mutual good intentions" after the two agreed on a deal that involved the purchase of four Swedish-made fighter jets.

After Ankara ratified Sweden's membership on January 25, Budapest became the final NATO member to endorse the bid. Throughout the accession protocol, securing Ankara's approval proved challenging, particularly due to differences in reaching an agreement on the extradition of Kurdish individuals accused of involvement in terrorist operations.