Hungarian President Katalin Novak resigns after pardoning director of children’s home who tried to hide pedophilia cases

President of Hungary, Katalin NovakThe man, very close to ultranationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, announced his resignation this Saturday after a week of controversy over the pardoning of a director of a children’s home who tried to conceal cases of pedophilia.

“I apologize to those I have hurt. Today I speak to you for the last time as president. I am resigning from my post,” Novak said in a televised speech after returning early from a trip to Qatar. I am.”

The head of state, the former Minister of Family Affairs, admitted that he had “made a mistake” by pardoning the deputy director of a children’s home, whose manager had abused several minors for years.

The controversial pardon granted on the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to Budapest in April 2023 became known to the press last week.

Since then, opposition organizations and political parties have demanded the resignation of the President “considering” this pardon.unacceptable,

The presidency in Hungary has mainly representative qualities, although it also includes signing amnesties for prisoners on the government’s proposal.