Janos Adler elected Hungarian president

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Janos Ader, a member of the European Parliament, has been elected as the new president of Hungary.

Ader replaces Pal Schmitt, who resigned in April after Hungary's Semmelweis University stripped him of his doctoral degree over charges that he had plagiarized his 1992 thesis.

Analysts say the step guarantees that Viktor Orban's governing Fidesz party will still be able to enact legislation without fear of presidential interference.

Hungarian members of parliament on Wednesday elected Ader to a five-year term by a vote of 262-40.