Pál Schmitt inaugurated as President

The Speaker of Hungarian Parliament, Pál Schmitt, is the new President of the Republic of Hungary as he took office with the expiry of the term of his predecessor, László Sólyom

Former Olympic champion in team fencing, Pál Schmitt has replaced László Sólyom as President of the Republic of Hungary. At a ceremony, held in the Sándor Palace in the Buda Castle, Schmitt said he would work to restore the nation's reputation and make Hungarians proud of their country.

Pál Schmitt was elected President by Hungarian Parliament's governing majority at the end of June this year, and before inaugurated as President he resigned from the post of Speaker of Parliament he was elected to in May. Before becoming parliamentary speaker, he was member of the European Parliament.

His political posts earlier included being ambassador to Spain and Switzerland. In 1968 and 1972, he was member of the Hungarian epée fencing team that won Olympic championship titles. After a university degree in domestic trade, he worked in the catering industry and then in sports management.

In 1983, he was named as deputy president of the National Physical Education and Sports Office, became the general secretary of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and also that year member of the International Olympic Committee.

Schmitt's predecessor, László Sólyom served one five-year term.