
Hungary's parliament has elected Andras Baka,
a respected judge and former head of the Supreme Court, as head of state.
He vowed to build the partnership between the country and its international allies.
The Hungarian parliament voted Tuesday to elect its sole candidate
Baka as president by a vote of 140 to 6.
He will be sworn in next Wednesday.
In his speech, Baka mentioned the relations between Hungary and some of its
international allies had deteriorated in recent years
and rebuilding partnerships will be a key task for him after taking office.
He also called for an investigation into past abuses of power
and a review of the use of public funds.
Hungary's political landscape has shifted with the pro-Russian
and Eurosceptic government of Viktor Orban ending its 16-year rule.
As for Baka's appointment as a judge of the European Court of Human Rights,
he said that he will remain politically neutral
and uphold the constitutionally established checks and balances.