Address by Dr András Baka, President of Hungary, at the opening ceremony of the 9th International Congress of Hungarian Studies
Distinguished Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the opening of the IX International Congress of Hungarian Studies. Throughout the several decades of the congress’s history, it has become a cherished tradition for the incumbent President of Hungary to serve as patron of this prestigious academic event. At the beginning of my term of office, I am honoured to continue this tradition, thereby also expressing the Hungarian State’s appreciation for the international community of Hungarian studies.
Speech by Dr András Baka, President of Hungary, on 20 August 2026 on M1 Public Television
My fellow Hungarians,
On 20 August, we commemorate the founding of the Hungarian state by Saint Stephen - a recognition that a country’s future is shaped not only by its leaders, but also by strong, enduring institutions.
Today, we too must build such institutions: institutions that serve not the powers of the day, but the citizens of our country. For the quality of a state is ultimately reflected in how well the institutions function that its citizens encounter in their everyday lives.
Public service media is one such institution.
Speech by Dr András Baka, President of Hungary, at the 20 August National Day State Honours Ceremony
Honourable Madam Speaker,
Honourable Prime Minister,
Distinguished Honourees,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Statement from Sándor Palace
András Baka, President of Hungary, received Dr István Lajtár, Deputy Prosecutor General, at the Presidential Palace.
The meeting was initiated by the Head of State, as the term of office of Prosecutor General Dr Gábor Bálint Nagy comes to an end today following his resignation. The President of Hungary shall nominate a candidate for the position of Prosecutor General to the National Assembly.
Statement from Sándor Palace - Dr András Baka takes office as President of Hungary
President of Hungary Dr Andras Baka took office on 19 August 2026.
The Speaker of the National Assembly calls the leaders of the Government and the parliamentary parties to a meeting
The extreme heatwave affecting Hungary, the critically low water levels in the Danube, the resulting need to shut down the nuclear power plant, and the Level 3 water restrictions in force in several localities have created an exceptional situation that requires coordinated and immediate action.
The Speaker of the National Assembly held talks at Sándor Palace
The Speaker of the National Assembly, who is temporarily exercising the duties and powers of the Head of State, held talks with the former President of Hungary at Sándor Palace.
Following the meeting between Ágnes Forsthoffer and Dr Tamás Sulyok, the Speaker of the National Assembly met with staff at Sándor Palace during a staff meeting.
The President of Hungary at the 130th Anniversary Gala of the Hungarian Olympic Committee
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, greeted the Olympic community celebrating the 130th anniversary of the Hungarian Olympic Committee at the Museum of Fine Arts.
In his speech, the Head of State stated: "For us Hungarians, sport is a real community-building force, as knowledge, enthusiasm and passion are passed on from generation to generation”.
According to the President, the founding of the Hungarian Olympic Committee 130 years ago created a national resource that has given and continues to give Hungarian sport a strong foundation and sense of confidence.
According to President Sulyok, the Szeged Cathedral and Dome Square represent a special value in the life and thought of the nation
At the unveiling of the stele marking the declaration of the Szeged Cathedral and the square as a national memorial on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Kuno Klebelsberg, Dr. Tamás Sulyok stated that "The sky-high Cathedral and the huge square have grown dear to our hearts, the hearts of the people of Szeged." The square embodies sacredness, science and culture all at once. The height of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Hungary commands respect.
“Neither democracy nor the rule of law can be based on threats.” – Interview with Dr. Tamás Sulyok in the German political science journal ’Cicero’
Mr. President, do you feel at home in your role as the Hungarian Head of State?
To be President of Hungary, to serve and represent every Hungarian citizen, is a tremendous honour – perhaps the greatest any Hungarian can receive. It is a responsible and undoubtedly very rewarding role, though naturally one that comes with its own challenges.
"Even the appearance of solutions that do not respect the rule of law must be avoided" - Interview with Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary
Have you ever regretted a decision you made?
I cannot recall any decision that I have regretted. At most, such things may have occurred in minor, everyday matters. The past becomes part of life. I generally focus more on the present than the past, and I am shaping the future through my plans.
In one of your first interviews as head of state, you said you didn’t hesitate for long when you were asked to become President of Hungary. Have you not regretted your decision?
"Every Hungarian feels with you and stands with you" – interview with Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, by Kárpátalja
As Advent 2025 drew to a close, Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, addressed the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia, as he gave an exclusive interview to Karolina Darcsi, Editor-in-Chief of the weekly newspaper Kárpátalja, and Mihály K. Debreceni, Editor-in-Chief of TV21 Ungvár and correspondent for Hungary’s public media in Transcarpathia. The conversation touched on the urgent need for peace, Hungary's assistance, the case of József Sebestyén, and the superhuman work of Hungarian interest groups in Transcarpathia.
Christmas message from Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary
Dear Fellow Citizens!
Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin and around the world!
It has become customary for the President of Hungary to deliver their message to the nation on the first day of the year. My constitutional duties, rights and obligations are well defined in the Fundamental Law. Fortunately for me, however, they do not cover every situation, so there are some things in which I can also enjoy freedom.
Appointments to the position of State Secretary at Sándor Palace
Dr. Tamás Sulyok - on the proposal of the Prime Minister
- appointed Dr. Judit Bertalan Czunyiné as State Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development
with effect from 1 January 2025,
- appointed Bence Gerlaki as State Secretary of the Ministry of National Economy with effect from 1 January 2025.
Following the swearing-in ceremony at Sándor Palace, the Head of State wished the new State Secretaries good endeavours and much success.
The Visegrád countries take a pro-peace stance
Although many have said it was dead and buried, the V4 has once again proven to be a necessary and effective form of cooperation, said President Tamás Sulyok at an official meeting of the Heads of State of the Visegrad Group (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) in Wisła, Poland.
Presidential visit to Temesvár, Kolozsvár and Déva
Dr. Tamás Sulyok travelled to Temesvár to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1989 uprising, before which he visited Kolozsvár and Déva.
In Kolozsvár, President Tamás Sulyok visited Transylvania’s Reformed Pastor Béla Kató, and thanked him for his 12 years of service. The President accompanied the outgoing bishop to the Farkas Street Church in Kolozsvár, where they prayed together for the Hungarian people.
Bridge between East and West - Presidential visit to Ankara
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, was received in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoǧan with military honours. During the presidential meeting and the subsequent restricted and cordial plenary discussions, the parties addressed the following topics:
Hungary and Türkiye share a common past, a deep friendship and a strategic alliance.
The two countries now enjoy a key strategic partnership, as confirmed by the frequency of high-level meetings.
Dr. Tamás Sulyok attended the opening of Notre-Dame
Around 40 heads of state and government attended the opening ceremony of the Paris Cathedral, rebuilt after the 2019 fire. Among them were French President Emmanuel Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, British Crown Prince William, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok, several former French heads of state and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Remembering our heroes
Today, President of Hungary Dr. Tamás Sulyok received at Sándor Palace the children of the service members who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The event, which is held every year, is a true reflection of the cohesive strength of the Hungarian Defence Forces.
As one of the young ladies put it:
"even without my father, I could feel the strength of family and togetherness at these reunions every year”.
Bar Association leaders at Sándor Palace
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, received the leaders of the Hungarian Bar Association at Sándor Palace.
The Hungarian community of legal professionals plays a very important role in the life of Hungary, because – while acting independently from the Hungarian state - it guarantees the freedoms that citizens should enjoy in a state governed by the rule of law. As such, the legal profession performs important constitutional functions.
New Director-General at Sándor Palace
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, appointed Dr. István Szilveszter Timár as Director General of Sándor Palace.
The lawyer and diplomat will took up his duties on 29 November 2024.
Qatar's Prime Minister receives Hungarian state award
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, received the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, who is on an official visit to Hungary, at Sándor Palace.
The Hungarian Head of State awarded Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani with the Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit in recognition of his work in deepening Hungarian-Qatari political and economic relations and the peaceful settlement of armed conflicts.