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.

In Hungary, the Office of the Prosecutor General is an independent constitutional body subject only to the law. The independence and impartiality of the Office of the Prosecutor General, which acts as a partner in the administration of justice, and of the Prosecutor General who heads it must be beyond doubt at all times. This serves not only as a guarantee of Hungary’s democratic, rule-of-law-based constitutional order, grounded in the separation of powers, but also of public confidence in the state. The professional independence and autonomy of the prosecution service would therefore be called into question if the Head of State were to consult political parties when selecting a candidate for the position of Prosecutor General.

Until the National Assembly elects a new Prosecutor General, the prosecution service will be headed by Dr István Lajtár, Deputy Prosecutor General, who will ensure that the above principles are fully upheld and will insist that they be respected throughout this transitional period.

With a view to ensuring the proper functioning of the prosecution service, President András Baka will put forward a proposal for the appointment of the Prosecutor General following a thorough assessment covering both professional qualifications and leadership qualities.