Péter Szijjártó, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, announced yesterday that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had nominated MEP János Áder as President of Hungary. The Prime Minister met with the leadership of his party, the Cabinet and the parliamentary groups of the governing parties before making the official nomination.

Mr. Orbán thinks that János Áder can offer security and predictability to Hungary and the Hungarian political system, and will be able to strengthen the new constitutional order.

In a press release on Monday evening, Mr. Áder said that he sees the nomination as an honour, and after considering the importance of the task and the personal responsibility involved, he has decided to accept the nomination. He will resign from his membership of the European People’s Party and Fidesz as a result.

He said that his political role model is Ferenc Deák, the 19th-century statesman and Justice Minister for Hungary, who is often described as ’The Wise Man of the Nation’.

The allied parliamentary groups of the governing parties unanimously support Mr. Áder’s nomination, and have advised Sándor Lezsák, the acting Speaker, to arrange for election of the new president in Parliament on 2 May.

(kormany.hu)