Katalin Novak Resigns
Hungary’s President, Katalin Novak, a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, declared her resignation on Saturday amidst widespread uproar over a pardon granted to an individual implicated in a case of child sexual abuse.
Shortly thereafter, another Orban loyalist, former justice minister Judit Varga, announced her withdrawal from public life in light of the controversy. These decisions came after mounting pressure from opposition figures and protests outside the presidential residence on Friday evening.
“I am stepping down from my position,” stated 46-year-old Katalin Novak, acknowledging her error.
“I extend my apologies to those I have offended and to all victims who may have felt unsupported,” added the former minister of family policy.
“I have been, I am, and I will remain an advocate for the protection of children and families.” Katalin Novak made history in March 2022 as the first woman to assume the primarily ceremonial role of president.
Controversial Decision To Pardon A Child Molester
The controversy stemmed from a pardon granted to a former deputy director of a children’s facility who had aided in concealing his superior’s sexual abuse of the children under their care. This decision was made last April during a visit by Pope Francis to Budapest.
Following the revelation of this decision by the independent news website 444, calls for Novak’s resignation intensified among the country’s opposition.
On Friday evening, demonstrators congregated outside the presidential residence, and three presidential advisors resigned.
Katalin Novak, who had been attending Hungary’s match against Kazakhstan at the World Water Polo Championships in Qatar, promptly returned to Budapest upon learning of the situation.
Upon landing, she announced her resignation, expressing, “The pardon issued, and the lack of clarification may have cast doubt on our zero-tolerance stance against pedophilia.” She reiterated her commitment to this cause before extending her apologies.
Within minutes of Novak’s announcement, Judit Varga, another Orban supporter, declared her departure from public life. Varga, who had approved the pardon during her tenure as justice minister, renounced her mandate as a member of parliament and as the head of the European Parliament election list via Facebook.
The swift succession of resignations prompted reactions from Hungarian MEP Anna Donath, who remarked, “It was swift: first Novak, then Varga.” Donath, a member of the liberal Momentum party, added on Facebook, “However, it’s widely known that no significant decision can be made in Hungary without Viktor Orban’s consent. He must take accountability and elucidate the situation; it’s his system.”
To placate national discontent, Orban announced on Thursday his intention to amend Hungary’s constitution to prevent the pardoning of individuals convicted of paedophilia.
Katalin Novak, temporarily replaced by Speaker of Parliament Laszlo Kover, was recognized by Forbes magazine last year as the most influential woman in Hungarian public life.
Her resignation further underscores the male-dominated landscape of Hungarian politics, with no women in Orban’s 16-member cabinet since mid-2023.
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