Hungary's president Katalin Novák quits amidst controversy over paedophilia case pardon
In a shocking development in Hungarian politics, President Katalin Novák has resigned. This decision comes in the wake of a wave of criticism after it was revealed that she had pardoned a man involved in a paedophilia case.
The controversy began in early February, when it was revealed that Novák had pardoned a man who worked in a children's home in the previous spring. It was not this man, but his supervisor, who had committed the paedophilic crimes. However, the man that Novák pardoned had attempted to force victims to retract their incriminating statements.
This decision caused considerable controversy, particularly as Novák has traditionally presented herself as a politician dedicated to family welfare. She was, after all, the Minister for Families. Her political party, Fidesz, quickly recognised that this incident could prove damaging to their reputation.
On Thursday, in response to this situation, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced his plans to alter the constitution so that, in the future, perpetrators of crimes against minors cannot be pardoned by the president.
Resignation of the Hungarian President
Since Thursday, Novák had been in Doha, Qatar and was supposed to return on Sunday. However, she returned to Budapest prematurely, on Saturday. During a televised statement, she announced her resignation from the role of President of Hungary.
"I made a mistake. I apologise to those I have offended, and to all victims, who could feel that I failed to defend them. Today, I address you for the last time as Head of State. I resign from the role of President of Hungary," she stated.
The President of Hungary is not a publicly elected role. The constitution dictates that the Head of State is chosen by parliament. Katalin Novák has fulfilled this role since 2022, and her first foreign trip in this capacity was to Poland.
Former Minister steps down
There is yet another significant change in Hungarian politics. Former Minister of Justice Judit Varga, once touted as Fidesz's "locomotive" in the European Parliament elections, is also exiting politics. She was the one who originally signed the pardon application.
"Hungary can still count on me to defend our national interests and values," she wrote as she announced her departure.
Varga will relinquish her parliamentary mandate and will not stand for the European Parliament.
