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.
Appointment at Sándor Palace
The President of Hungary appointed Katalin Éva Ocskó as Deputy President of the National Office for the Judiciary.
Tamás Sulyok congratulated the appointee.
Meeting with Miklós Maróth, orientalist
Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, received Miklós Maróth, professor, orientalist, recipient of the Hungarian Corvin Chain of Honour, full member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Dean of Pázmány Péter Catholic University, at Sándor Palace.
The Head of State was briefed on the antecedents to the Middle East conflict, as well as its cultural and religious background and roots.
UN Youth Delegates received by Tamás Sulyok
UN Youth Delegates Brimo Widad and Annamária Wettstein paid a visit to Sándor Palace today. The guests presented the Head of State with a painting of Kiskunfélegyháza, the birthplace of Tamás Sulyok.
The President said it was important that young people's worldview and interests should be reflected in international decision-making. To this end, the UN launched the Youth Ambassadors Programme in 1981, which gives Hungarian youth the opportunity to represent their country as official delegates at the most important UN forums.
Tamás Sulyok received the Speaker of Egyptian House of Representatives Hanafy Ali Gebaly
President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok welcomed Dr. Hanafy Ali Gebaly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to Sándor Palace.
The Head of State highlighted that religious and cultural tolerance as well as the importance of family unite the two countries, and stressed that Hungary continues to see Egypt as a key strategic partner. The two parties also agreed to maintain the intensity of the bilateral cultural and economic ties between their countries.
Tamás Sulyok welcomed Rumen Radev, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, to Sándor Palace
The Hungarians and the Bulgarians are united by a community of historical fate, and even by friendship – President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok stressed in his press statement following a discussion with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev at Sándor Palace on Saturday.
Tamás Sulyok said that the discussion with the President of Bulgaria covered, among other things, the position of national minorities, Hungarian-Bulgarian economic relations and energy security in particular. The President of Hungary highlighted that they see eye to eye on the issue of migration.
Security and peace is our shared interest – Meeting with Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis
President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok welcomed Ignazio Cassis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, to Sándor Palace. The Swiss Minister is paying a working visit to Budapest.
Appointment as president at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok appointed László Nagy as the President of the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities.
This authority exercises official control, supervision and regulation of certain key sectors.
The Head of State wished the newly appointed president much success in his work.
Meeting with the Director of EPLO
Tamás Sulyok welcomed Spyridon Flogaitis, the Director of the European Public Law Organisation (EPLO), at Sándor Palace. EPLO has disseminated knowledge about Public Law and promoted jurisprudence in Europe since 2007. The Head of State emphasized that he would like to continue strengthening the scientific and professional relations between Hungary and EPLO.
Appointments as general and promotions at Sándor Palace
The President of Hungary - on a proposal by the Minister heading the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister
appointed Colonel for National Security Erzsébet Szalay to the rank of Brigadier General for National Security with effect from 5 May 2024,
Colonel for National Security Gábor Tamás Szilágyi to the rank of Brigadier General for National Security with effect from 5 May 2024, and
Lieutenant Colonel for National Security Gergely Takács to the rank of Brigadier General for National Security with effect from 5 May 2024.
Tamás Sulyok met with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Hungary
Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, welcomed the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Hungary to an official reception in Budapest for the first time.
In his speech, the President stressed that Hungary has been calling for a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine from the very beginning, as a just and sustainable peace is in the common interest of all of us.
According to Tamás Sulyok, the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans is essential to strengthen Europe's global role.