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.
Dr. Tamás Sulyok held discussions on peace at the Vatican
The Hungarian Head of State was received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. During the meeting, which lasted more than half an hour, the parties reviewed developments in the international situation, with particular regard to conflict zones and opportunities for promoting peace. The President of Hungary emphasised Hungary's commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts around the world and highlighted the importance of Christian values and the role of family.
Jókai 200 Memorial Year – Closing Gala Ceremony at the Papp László Sports Arena
President of Hungary Dr. Tamás Sulyok opened the closing gala ceremony of the series of events organised to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mór Jókai.
"In Mór Jókai, we have a Hungarian literary giant. Jókai had no capacity to be unhappy, because he remained cheerful in every situation," said the Head of State, adding, "Jókai was a novelist who sat down at his desk every day and, drawing on his soaring imagination, created novels and prose works in his own handwriting."
The integration of the University of Debrecen 25 years ago created a unique centre of knowledge
The integration of the University of Debrecen created a unique centre of knowledge, and the integrated institutions have together made the city internationally renowned, said Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, in his speech at the 25th anniversary ceremony of the university's founding.
The Head of State pointed out that the University of Debrecen plays a special role in shaping Hungary, as the power of knowledge can determine the future of the Hungarian people, and the existence of a university always contributes to the rise of a country.
Announcement from Sándor Palace
Sándor Palace issues the following statement in connection with Government Decree 15/2026. (II. 3.) on municipal solidarity contributions due to the spread of misinformation regarding the constitutional role of the President of Hungary:
A statement widely circulated in the press claimed to offer a professional recommendation, arguing that “in the matter of the government decree, the President of Hungary, as guardian of the constitutional order, should have acted and referred the issue to the Constitutional Court”.
Appointments to the rank of university professor at Sándor Palace
Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, appointed the following individuals as university professors, on a proposal by the Minister of Culture and Innovation, effective 1 September 2025
at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- Dr. László Toka,
at the University of Debrecen
- Dr. Marietta Kiss
at Eötvös Loránd University
- Attila Ferenczi,
- Domonkos Sik,
- Balázs Varga,
- Dr. Piroska Vitekné Balogh,
at the University of Miskolc
- János Ugrai,
at Pázmány Péter Catholic University
Dr. Tamás Sulyok at the 25th Winter Olympic Games
President Dr. Tamás Sulyok attended the opening ceremony of the 25th Winter Olympic Games in Milan. The Head of State visited the Olympic Village in Milan, where he met with the Hungarian team members and their support staff, and later watched the first event of interest to Hungary (men's 10+10 km skiathlon) in Tesero.
Press release from Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Dr. Tamás Sulyok will attend the opening ceremony of the 25th Winter Olympic Games in Milan.
Accompanied by First Lady Zsuzsanna Nagy, the Head of State will attend the opening ceremony at the invitation of the Olympic Movement, watch sporting events of Hungarian interest, visit the Olympic Village in Milan, and meet with the Hungarian team's competitors and supporting staff.
Fifteen Hungarian athletes represent our country at the Milan–Cortina Games.
President-Elect of Chile received at Sándor Palace
President Tamás Sulyok received José Antonio Kast, Chile's President-Elect, elected in December, at Sándor Palace.
As a result of more than a century of diplomatic relations between Hungary and Chile, political and economic cooperation may rise to a new level in the future, as both sides are open to further developing and deepening bilateral relations.
Statement from Sándor Palace
The President of Hungary hosted Chile's President-Elect, elected in December, at Sándor Palace.
During the meeting, Dr. Tamás Sulyok praised the 101 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He emphasised that despite the geographical distance between Hungary and Chile, the two countries are connected by fundamental values rooted in their shared Christian heritage, such as the protection of family and its central role in society.
Working visit of President Dr. Tamás Sulyok to Scotland
President Dr. Tamás Sulyok paid a working visit to Scotland, which focused on meeting with Hungarians living abroad, strengthening scientific cooperation and cultivating shared historical memory.