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 of Vice Governor of the National Bank of Hungary at Sándor Palace
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, on a proposal by the Prime Minister, appointed Dr. Levente Sipos-Tompa as Vice Governor of the National Bank of Hungary.
According to the presidential decree, the appointment will take effect on 2 October 2025 and will be valid for a term of six years.
The President of Hungary wished the new Vice Governor every success in his work.
Diplomatic activity in full swing at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Dr. Tamás Sulyok received letters of credence from the following ambassadors at Sándor Palace:
- Her Excellency Penny Dewi Herasati, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia,
- His Excellency Willem Alexander van Ee, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
Open Doors programme at Sándor Palace on 20-21 September 2025
Sándor Palace will once again open its doors to the general public on 20-21 September 2025, between 10:00 and 18:00, on the occasion of Cultural Heritage Day. On these days, visitors will be able to tour the most ornate rooms of the building.
Visiting Sándor Palace is free of charge and does not require registration.
Meeting with lawyers from the northern Hungarian region in Sárospatak
President Tamás Sulyok met with representatives of the legal community of the northern Hungarian region in Sárospatak. The purpose of the regional meetings is to discuss the present and future of the legal profession and how rural lawyers can work together to strengthen the rule of law and serve Hungarian society more effectively.
30 years of the Hungarian information rights institutional system
"Data protection authorities have an extremely responsible role" said President Tamás Sulyok at the international conference organised to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hungarian information rights institutional system.
In his opening address at the event organised by the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, the Head of State pointed out that the right to personal data protection had to be established from scratch to serve as a protective shield for citizens and legal entities.
Hungarian-Albanian Heads of State meet at Sándor Palace
President Tamás Sulyok welcomed Albanian President Bajram Begaj to Budapest with full military honours.
Peace is a gift from God – Cardinal Péter Erdő at Sándor Palace
President Tamás Sulyok met with Cardinal Péter Erdő, Primate and Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, at Sándor Palace.
The focus of the meeting was peace. The Church always calls for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue and understanding rather than violence.
The Head of State thanked the church leader for the empowering conversation.
Artificial intelligence can never replace human intellect or the moral sensibilities that make us human – AI Summit 2025 Budapest
Artificial intelligence is a milestone in the history of human thought and holds great potential for Hungary, but it also raises a number of ethical questions, said Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, at the AI Summit forum in Budapest.
In his opening speech, Tamás Sulyok emphasised that the conference focuses on a revolutionary technology that will usher in a new era of global significance: artificial intelligence affects everyone, whether they realise it or not, and reaches all, whether they wish it to or not.
Tradition and innovation – Opening of the Academic Year at the University of Debrecen
In the presence of nearly four thousand first-year students, the University of Debrecen held its ceremonial Senate meeting marking the start of the academic year in the Főnix Sports Hall.
President of Hungary Dr. Tamás Sulyok adressed the members of the university community attending the ceremony.
The Head of State emphasized that the unity of tradition and innovation ensures that Hungarian universities not only preserve our values, but are also leading the way in the sciences that are shaping the future.
Being a lawyer is a special profession - Tolna County Lawyers' Day in Szekszárd
Tolna County Lawyers' Day is one of the most prestigious and important events in the legal profession in the county, which was opened this year by President Dr. Tamás Sulyok.
In his speech, the Head of State emphasised that being a lawyer is a special profession; it is a way of life where serious responsibility is an everyday occurrence and where commitment forms a solid alliance with integrity.