President of Hungary, Katalin Novakvery close to the ultra-nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbanannounced this Saturday resignation Following a week-long debate over the amnesty granted to the director of a children’s home He tried to hide cases of pedophilia.
“I ask for forgiveness from those I have hurt. Today I speak to you for the last time as president. I resign my position,” Novák said in a televised speech after returning early from a visit to Qatar. said.
Head of State, former Minister of Family Affairs, He admitted that he “made a mistake” By forgiving the deputy director of a children’s home whose director had been abusing minors for years.
The controversial pardon, which was accepted in April 2023 during Pope Francis’ visit to Budapest, was reported in the press last week.
Since then, opposition political parties and organizations They called for the president’s resignation, considering the pardon “unacceptable”.“.
The presidential position in Hungary has primarily representative qualities, but also involves the signing of amnesty for prisoners on the proposal of the Government.