In a stunning turn of events broadcasted live on television, the President of Hungary has tendered her resignation amidst uproar following a contentious decision to grant a pardon to a man found guilty of concealing a child sexual abuse case. The nation reels in shock as the controversy surrounding the pardon decision continues to reverberate, prompting the abrupt exit of the country's leader.
New Delhi, February 11 : In a startling development, Hungarian President Katalin Novak has stepped down from her position amid a brewing scandal involving the pardoning of a man convicted for coercing children to retract sexual abuse allegations against a director of a state-run children’s home. The revelation of President Novak’s decision to grant clemency to the individual sparked outrage and protests throughout Hungary, with calls for her resignation mounting in intensity.
Today I resigned from my office as President of Hungary. Thank you for everything to all my friends in all four corners of the world. Hungary🇭🇺 is a wonderful country with marvelous people, a good partner, an even better friend and a reliable ally. I am glad that in the past… pic.twitter.com/j4SdiezAkK
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovak_HU) February 10, 2024
Acknowledging her error, President Novak publicly apologized, admitting to making a mistake in granting the controversial pardon. The fallout from the scandal also led to the resignation of Judit Varga, the former Minister of Justice, who had endorsed the pardon and was set to lead the European elections campaign for Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party.
The controversy escalated when the names of 25 individuals pardoned by President Novak during a visit by Pope Francis last April were disclosed by Hungarian media. Among them was the deputy director of a children’s home near Budapest, convicted of pressuring children to retract abuse allegations against the home’s director, who himself was serving time for child abuse.
President Katalin Novak’s resignation comes as a shock to many, given her status as a prominent figure within Fidesz and her historic role as Hungary’s first female president. The scandal has dealt a significant blow to Fidesz, a party known for championing traditional family values, and has stirred unprecedented political turmoil in the country.
Addressing the nation on live television, President Novak expressed regret for her actions, conceding that the lack of justification for the pardon had raised doubts about the government’s commitment to combating paedophilia. The resignations of President Novak and Judit Varga represent a significant setback for Prime Minister Orban and Fidesz, especially with Varga slated to lead the party’s European election campaign
