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.
Diplomacy power house at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Katalin Novák received the credentials of Dr. Haitham Saleh Elayyan Abu Alfoul, Jordan’s new ambassador to Budapest.
The Head of State also appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Antal Heizer to head Hungary's Embassy in Kiev, Dr György Urkuti to head Hungary's Embassy in Riga, and Mrs Szilágyi née Edit Bátorfi to head the Embassy in Vienna.
Katalin Novák presented appointments and promotions at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Katalin Novák – on a proposal by Hungary’s Minister of Defence – appointed Lieutenant General Dr. Gábor Böröndi Chief of the Defence Staff for five years, with effect from 4 May 2023.
The President of Hungary – on a proposal by the Prime Minister – appointed Zsolt Barthel-Rúzsa State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, with effect from 1 May 2023.
Open Days at Sándor-Palace – 13-14 May 2023
On the first anniversary of the inauguration of President of Hungary Katalin Novák, Sándor-Palace will be open to visitors again. Sándor Palace will open its doors to the public on 13 and 14 May, on Saturday and Sunday. On both days, visitors can visit the building housing the Office of the Head of State from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pope Francis' visit was a joyful celebration, an occasion when it was good to be Hungarian
In her interview given to public media, Katalin Novák called the three-day visit of Pope Francis a joyful celebration, when it was "good to be Hungarian". She emphasized that the visit was important, uplifting and a source of pride not only for believing Catholics, but for all Hungarians without exception. Pope Francis brought the Hungarians closer to one another and to Jesus Christ – the President of Hungary assessed the visit of the Catholic Pontiff to Hungary in her interview broadcast on television channel M1.
Katalin Novák to attend the coronation of King Charles III
President of Hungary Katalin Novák will attend the coronation of British monarch King Charles III at the weekend.
The Hungarian Head of State, accepting the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, will travel to London on Friday to attend the coronation of the Royal Couple at Westminster Abbey.
„I would like to express my high regard for the Royal Couple and further strengthen the alliance between Hungary and the United Kingdom also in this way” – Katalin Novák said.
Pope Francis: we need peace, a future of cradles, not of graves
Be open gates! – this is what Pope Francis asked of the worshippers at the Holy Mass conducted in Kossuth Square in Budapest on Sunday. At the end of the ceremony, the Catholic Pontiff asked world leaders to build peace, praying for a future of cradles and not graves.
The Holy Mass was attended by President of Hungary Katalin Novák, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Speaker of the National Assembly László Kövér and several members of the government.
Address by Katalin Novák at the welcome ceremony for Pope Francis
Santo Padre,
¡Dios nos ha traído a Usted, el Hombre de la Paz, a Hungría!
¡Bienvenido! En húngaro se dice: "Isten hozta" y literalmente significa: Dios nos ha traído a Usted para estar con nosotros.
Most Holy Father!
Most Holy Father, Man of Peace!
A warm welcome to Hungary!
Pope Francis brings the message of peace – The interview of Die Tagespost with Katalin Novák
President of Hungary Katalin Novák called the visit of Pope Francis to Hungary an honour for all Hungarians. In the interview published in Germany’s Catholic weekly Die Tagespost on Thursday, the President stressed that in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, the Church and its Pontiff brings the message of peace, encouragement and hope.
Press release from Sándor Palace
The week of the Pope’s visit is a special occasion for the Head of State to exercise her power of mercy.
For this reason, the President of Hungary decided to grant mercy in a broad circle on this occasion.
The President of Hungary also pardoned, among others, those convicted with a final judgement in the case known as the Hunnia trial, for whom she decided to suspend their prison sentences.
The future belongs to the Man of Peace – Interview with President of Hungary Katalin Novák in the Catholic Weekly Új Ember (New Man)
Pope Francis, accepting the invitation of state and church authorities, will pay an apostolic visit to Hungary from 28 April to 30 April. On this occasion, we visited President of Hungary Katalin Novák in her office, asking her about family, faith, education, the protection of Divine Creation, and the upcoming visit of the Holy Father.