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.
Katalin Novák received Viktor Orbán at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Katalin Novák received Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at Sándor Palace on Monday. The Prime Minister briefed the President on the European Council meeting of 23 March, the Communications Directorate of Sándor Palace informed MTI.
The Head of State is paying special attention to strengthening Hungary's European and international relations, and in this context she was briefed by the Prime Minister on last week's meeting of European heads of state and government, where the war in Ukraine was one of the most important topics.
Wise decisions in Brussels will enrich local communities and Europe
The tourist centre in Barcs, built with a budget of around 400 million HUF, was inaugurated on Friday. At the event, Katalin Novák stressed that the investment is a good example of how wise decisions in Brussels can enrich local communities and Europe.
Speaking on the second day of her visit to Somogy County in front of the centre, which was created by renovating and rebuilding a former salt warehouse on the banks of the River Drava, the President said that "today we can see the benefits of EU membership", if "decision-makers in Brussels focus on what they have to focus on".
There is a Hungarian future as long as there are people ready to have children in Hungary
Speaking to families on the first day of her two-day visit to Somogy County, the Head of State noted that being a mother, she understands the responsibility entailed in bringing children to the world. Having a child is not only about happiness, joy and easy days, it also means difficulties, problems and challenges that have to be faced.
Katalin Novák consulted her Polish counterpart by telephone
On the occasion of the Day of Polish-Hungarian Friendship, President of Hungary Katalin Novák and President of Poland Andrzej Duda had a consultation by telephone on Thursday – the Head of the Communication Directorate of Sándor Palace informed MTI.
Natural treasures and the people who live here are the beauty of Hungary
The beauty of Hungary is both its natural treasures and the people who live here, the President of Hungary said on Thursday at the inauguration of the renovated Szaplonczay promenade in Fonyód, adding that she feels it is her duty to draw attention to the country's wealth in terms of its people and nature.
Katalin Novák: when trouble hits, Hungarians are there to help
The Hungarian people help when there is trouble, and now we must support both those fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian war and those who stayed behind. - said President Katalin Novák, who received leaders of the Charity Council organisations, refugees from Ukraine, including children, at Sándor Palace in Budapest on Wednesday.
The President of Hungary drew attention to the coordinated and persistent work of charitable organisations, and to the fact that every Hungarian, alongside aid organisations, NGOs and representatives of churches, helps when there is trouble.
Appointments of ambassadors at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Katalin Novák appointed Dr. Gergely Bánhegyi ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to head Hungary’s embassy in Dublin, and Dr. András Beck as head of Hungary’s foreign mission in Lima.
"Archives preserve the memory of Hungarian families and, through them, of the whole nation"
Archives preserve the memory of Hungarian families, and through them, the memory of the whole nation – said President Katalin Novák on Tuesday at the Hungarian National Archives in Budapest, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the institution.
The President of Hungary underlined: we can get closer to knowing and understanding Hungarian history by learning the stories of Hungarian families.
The national flag was raised in front of the Parliament
The honour guard of the Hungarian Defence Forces raised the national flag with military honours, to the sound of the National Anthem in front of the Parliament on Hungary’s national holiday on 15 March, in the presence of President of Hungary Katalin Novák and Speaker of the National Assembly László Kövér.
The ceremony was attended by several members of the government, as well as representatives of state and military organisations and the diplomatic corps.
On the occasion of the national holiday of 15 March, Katalin Novák presented Kossuth- and Széchenyi-Awards and Hungarian Order of Merit honours
Our commitment to free and independent Hungary and the Hungarian nation has united us, Hungarians, generation after generation, for over a thousand years – President of Hungary Katalin Novák emphasized at the ceremony for Kossuth- and Széchenyi-Award winners and the recipients of the Hungarian Order of Merit honours.
She recalled: history taught the Hungarians that they must never lose sight of the interests of their country. Only we can see life and the world with the particular Hungarian eyes – she said.