Brussels, 02/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 2 May, Janos Ader, a co-founder of the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, was elected new President of the Republic by the Hungarian parliament. The new president won 262 of the votes of the parliament, which has 386 seats. His election was a certain thing, as the Conservative Fidesz party has a two-thirds majority.
The extreme right-wing Jobbik party voted against Janos Ader, while the Socialists (MSZP), Greens (LMP) and the MPs of the new formation (DK) of former head of government Ferenc Gyurcsany (democratic, centre-left coalition), did not take part in the vote, arguing that the new president, a strategic member of the party in power, cannot represent “the unity of the Hungarian nation”, as called for by the constitution. Ader was sworn in immediately after the vote and will take up his duties on 10 May.
In a speech which was unifying in its tone, he stressed the importance of the unity of the Hungarian nation. Orban appointed Ader as candidate for the post of President of the Republic on 16 April. His predecessor, Pal Schmitt, stepped down a month ago following a plagiarism affair concerning his 1992 doctorate.
Janos Ader, 52, is a former member of the European Parliament. Between 2002 and 2006, he was head of the Fidesz fraction and is considered to be a representative of Viktor Orban. The post of president in Hungary is largely a matter of protocol, although whoever holds it is also leader of the Army. His first trip abroad will take place in Slovakia on Saturday and Sunday, where he will represent Hungary in a meeting of the Visegrad countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary). (LC/transl.fl)