List of Presidents of Hungary: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Hungary from 1989 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Hungary, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Hungary: András Baka (in office since 2026).

Presidents of Hungary in order, with years in office

Mátyás Szűrös

Served: 1989–1990 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who proclaimed the Republic of Hungary on 23 October 1989 and served as interim president.

Árpád Göncz

Served: 1990–2000

Writer and former political prisoner; the first president of the democratic republic.

Ferenc Mádl

Served: 2000–2005

Law professor who served one term.

László Sólyom

Served: 2005–2010

Former president of the Constitutional Court.

Pál Schmitt

Served: 2010–2012

Olympic fencing champion who resigned in April 2012 after a plagiarism scandal over his doctoral thesis.

László Kövér

Served: 2012 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who acted as president after Schmitt's resignation.

János Áder

Served: 2012–2022

Served two terms.

Katalin Novák

Served: 2022–2024

First woman president; she resigned in February 2024 after a pardon scandal.

Tamás Sulyok

Served: 2024–2026

Former Constitutional Court president; his term ended in July 2026 under a constitutional amendment passed by parliament, which he signed while calling his removal unlawful.

Ágnes Forsthoffer

Served: 2026 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who acted as head of state from 20 July to 19 August 2026.

András Baka

Served: 2026–present

Former president of the Supreme Court, elected by parliament on 11 August 2026 with 140 votes and in office since 19 August 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Hungary

Who is the current president of Hungary?

The current head of state of Hungary is András Baka, in office since 2026.

Who were the previous presidents of Hungary?

The presidents and heads of state of Hungary listed on this page, in order, are: Mátyás Szűrös, Árpád Göncz, Ferenc Mádl, László Sólyom, Pál Schmitt, László Kövér, János Áder, Katalin Novák, Tamás Sulyok, Ágnes Forsthoffer, András Baka.

Who was the first president of Hungary?

Mátyás Szűrös was the first president of Hungary, in office 1989–1990 (acting).

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Hungary; Associated Press, Reuters, Xinhua, Telex and Euronews reports on the July–August 2026 removal of Tamás Sulyok and election of András Baka (checked Nov 2026). Heads of state since the end of communist rule in 1989; acting presidents are labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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