The co-ruling Christian Democrats hailed the election. In a statement, the party welcomed that LMP had contributed to the nomination process and regretted that the other opposition parties had “failed to put aside selfish interests” thus “jeopardising the operation of an important institution of the rule of law”.

Jobbik deputy group leader Gábor Staudt said that his party found the candidates suitable for the post, but voiced protest that his party had been “excluded” from the nomination.

He said his party had first been informed about the upcoming vote last Thursday, and called the short note “not fair”.

László Varju, deputy leader of the leftist Democratic Coalition (DK), said that the outcome of the vote would further increase the government’s powers and criticised LMP for its “collaboration”.

“LMP has quit the opposition”, he told a press conference, and symbolically offered Fidesz memberships to LMP co-leaders Bernadett Szél and Ákos Hadházy, who had turned up for the event.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Kovács Attila