Fidesz's 2009 vote for András Baka explained by political shifts

The political maneuvering behind András Baka's appointment as president in 2009 reveals a complex shift in the Fidesz party's stance. Initially, it was clear that Fidesz would not support Baka's candidacy. However, by Monday morning of the fifth round of voting, the situation had "radically changed," leading to Fidesz's eventual approval of his nomination.

According to sources cited by the blog, the reason for this sudden reversal was the potential for László Sólyom to resign. Had Sólyom stepped down, the then-ruling center-left majority, led by Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai, could have potentially elected Ferenc Gyurcsány as president. This prospect appears to have been a significant factor in Fidesz's decision to support Baka, thereby preventing Gyurcsány's potential ascent.

The article implies that Fidesz's strategic vote for Baka was a tactical move within the prevailing political landscape of 2009. A year later, Fidesz secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, granting them the power to elect their own preferred candidate for president. This subsequent political dominance seemingly rendered the earlier tactical considerations surrounding Baka's appointment less critical in the long run.