President Katalin Novak resigns amidst controversy over pardon decision in Hungary

Hungary’s President Katalin Novak has stepped down from her position following intense scrutiny and public outcry over her decision to pardon a man involved in concealing a sex abuse case at a children’s home. In a televised speech, Novak admitted to making a mistake and expressed regret over her actions.

“I made a decision to grant a pardon last April, believing that the convict did not abuse the vulnerability of children whom he had overseen. I made a mistake as the pardon and the lack of reasoning was suitable to trigger doubts over the zero tolerance that applies to paedophilia,” said Novak.

Her resignation comes after widespread protests in the nation’s capital and calls for her resignation from opposition parties. The decision to pardon individuals, including the deputy director of a children’s home, just ahead of Pope Francis’s visit in April 2023, drew significant criticism.

One of the individuals pardoned, Endre K, was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to three years and four months in prison for his involvement in concealing the sex abuse case. Despite the conviction, Novak’s pardon allowed him to return to his profession, sparking outrage among the public.

Novak, who previously served as Conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s family minister and ally, was the youngest person to ever hold the position of president in Hungary and the first female president in the country’s history. Her resignation marks a rare instance of political unrest for Fidesz, the nationalist party that has governed Hungary since 2010 with a constitutional majority.