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 attended Pope Benedict XVI's funeral service
President of Hungary Katalin Novák, her spouse István Veres and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén attended the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who passed away on Saturday and paid homage to the pope lying in state.
The funeral mass was held at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Thursday. – the Communication Directorate of Sándor Palace told the Hungarian news Agency MTI.
Katalin Novák, her spouse and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén were received by Pope Francis before the ceremony.
New Year's address by President Katalin Novák
Fellow Hungarians,
“That our country still stands is a miracle from God!” Thus wrote Sándor Petőfi, who was born 200 years ago today. How true this still is, after the unexpected difficulties of recent years.
We are still adjusting to the flavour of the sounds made when we say “2023”. Meanwhile we are cautiously asking what the coming year holds in store for each of us personally, and collectively for us as Hungarians.
Vœux de Nouvel An de la Présidente de la République Katalin Novák
Chers compatriotes !
"C'est un miracle de Dieu que notre pays soit encore debout !" - a écrit le poète Sándor Petőfi, né il y a 200 ans. Comme ce constat reste vrai même aujourd'hui, après les difficultés imprévues de ces dernières années.
Nous savourons encore le mot ‘2023’, et nous nous demandons avec prudence : que nous réserve l'année prochaine, à titre personnel et pour nous tous, Hongrois ?
Nous aimerions que cette prochaine année soit plus facile que cette dernière ne l'a été.
Neujahrsgrüße des Präsidenten der Republik Katalin Novák
Liebe Landsleute!
„Gottes Wunder, dass unsere Heimat noch besteht!” – schrieb der heute vor 200 Jahren geborene Sándor Petőfi. Wie wahr das doch auch heute ist, nach den unerwarteten Schwierigkeiten der vergangenen Jahre.
Wir sind noch erst dabei, uns mit dem Wort 2023 anzufreunden und stellen uns vorsichtig die Frage, was wohl das kommende Jahr für uns persönlich und für uns Ungarn insgesamt bringen wird.
Press release by President of Hungary Katalin Novák in the Budaházy case
I received the requests for clemency filed by the persons involved in the well-known „Budaházy-case” in the middle of December. As is known, criminal proceedings have continued to be underway against 17 people for 13 years, until the present day. I find it regrettable that the court has not been able to reach a final decision in almost a decade and a half.
Katalin Novák: it is important to stand up for families and family values
The room for manoeuvre of a head of state is very different form that available to a government, but I continue to find it important to stand up for the cause of families and family values – the President of Hungary said in her Christmas interview given to TV2’s show entitled „Tények”(Facts) on Monday. In addition to the war in Ukraine, Katalin Novák also talked about how she reconciles her role as head of state with the family.
Katalin Novák presented naturalisation certificates to ballet dancers of foreign origin
Eight foreign-born dancers of the Hungarian National Ballet - among them several Russian-Ukrainian couples - received their naturalisation certificates from President of Hungary Katalin Novák on Saturday morning before the performance of “The Nutcracker” at the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.
Before receiving the documents, the dancers took the oath of citizenship on stage in the presence of their children, and then sang the Hungarian national anthem in front of an audience of a thousand people.
When we protect the Hungary-Serbia border, we protect Europe
When we protect the Hungary-Serbia border, we also protect Europe, and Hungary and Serbia do this together, said President of Hungary Katalin Novák on Thursday at the Southern border barrier in Kelebia.
Speaking at a joint press conference after a visit to the border with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and former Czech Prime Minister and presidential candidate Andrej Babiš, the President of Hungary said that the border is a symbol of sovereignty and "a guarantee that we can maintain our security".
Appointments of State Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries
President of Hungary Katalin Novák handed out new state secretary and permanent secretary appointments.
Péter Ágh, Dr. Balázs Zoltán Hankó, Dr. Sándor Czomba and Gergely Fábián will work as state secretaries, while Dr. Anikó Túri and Dr. Gábor Czepek will work as permanent secretaries in the future.
Congratulations to all of them and we wish them every success in their new roles!
We are the heirs of the regime changers
Today's generation of politicians are the heirs of those who changed the regime, President Katalin Novák stressed at the event of the „Conversations in the Sándor Palace” on Monday, adding that "we respect and love the great generation that came before us".
Speaking at the launch of the book "Regime Change from Within " authored by former Interior Minister Imre Kónya, the Head of State said that today's politicians have a choice, and they must choose responsibly. They can squander, preserve or enrich this heritage.