Hungarian President Katalin Novak, who came under criticism for pardoning a sex offender, has resigned. She is resigning from her post because of her “mistake,” said the confidant of right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a speech on Saturday. Novak, who took office in 2022, was the first woman to head Hungary.
Novak came under massive pressure after the investigative news portal “444” revealed that she had pardoned a man involved in child abuse in April 2023 on the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to Budapest. The former deputy head of a children’s home was sentenced to more than three years in prison in 2022 for covering up criminal actions by his superior. After the pardon became known, the opposition called for Novak’s resignation, and there were demonstrations in the country.
“I apologize to those I hurt and to any victims who may have felt that I did not stand with them,” Novak said. She “stands up for the protection of children and families, has done so and will continue to do so,” added the 46-year-old. Before she was elected president, she had been family minister for a long time. In the Hungarian political system, the president’s primary duties are protocol-related.
After Novak’s resignation, former Justice Minister Judit Varga also announced her resignation. Varga agreed to the pardon in April 2023. She had resigned from the top of the ministry to lead the list of Orban’s Fidesz party in the upcoming European elections. She has now resigned from her mandate as a parliamentarian and will no longer stand in the European elections.
