The Hungarian ruling party Fidesz has taken up the cause of protecting children and minors from sexual exploitation. But now she herself is shocked by a pedophilia scandal. Head of state Katalin Novák, who was Family Minister before her term at the helm of Hungary, has pardoned a man convicted as an accomplice in a criminal case for child abuse.
“The Hungarian president’s political career is over,” the online portal telex.hu quoted political scientist Gábor Török on Friday in connection with the amnesty scandal. An entire country is outraged, Török emphasized and recalled the opposition’s demand for Novák’s resignation. These demands are now being taken to the streets.
Thousands of people protested in front of the official headquarters
Thousands of people protested against the president in the capital Budapest on Friday evening. In front of their seat on the castle hill, the crowd demanded Novák’s resignation and at the same time criticized Prime Minister Orbán. The crowd of the demonstration, organized by civil organizations, moved from the Ministry of Interior to the presidential residence, where they were joined by activists from the opposition Momentum party.
Educator Edit Simkó accused Novák and ex-Justice Minister Judit Varga, who was still in office at the time of the amnesty, of participating in “this meanness” as mothers. Rita Antoni, president of the women’s association, says the president has “spit in the faces of the victims” with her decision and does not want to make decisions himself.
Amnesty on the occasion of the Pope’s visit
The pardon seeker is the former deputy director of a children’s home who covered up his boss’s pedophile crimes for years. There are dozens of cases of abuse and assault. The pardoner was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. As an accomplice, he also did everything he could to have the children make false statements and withdraw their complaints, writes news platform 444.hu.
President Novák had already granted the amnesty in April 2023 and linked it to the Pope’s visit to Hungary. At the time, a broadcast from the Sándor Palace said: The Pope’s visit was a special opportunity for the head of state to exercise his right to amnesty. The special case of the deputy head of the children’s home had only now become known. An “observant citizen” informed the news portal 444.hu.
Orbán distances himself from his former party colleague
But it is not only the opposition and non-governmental organizations that are turning against the president. Members of Novák’s advisory board have also resigned. The writer János Lackfi emphasized that he had expected an explanation from Novák about the scandal. The online portal propeller.hu called the public outcry understandable.
Orbán, who is considered a confidant of the 46-year-old, also distanced himself from Novák. In a Facebook video titled ‘No mercy for pedophiles’ he announced that he wanted to make it impossible to pardon pedophile criminals through a constitutional amendment (see video below). Fidesz faction leader Maté Kocsis found clear words on state radio on Friday: This case of pardon should never have happened. Kocsis wondered whether it would be good to know what was behind the president’s amnesty decision.
Former Minister of Justice Judit Varga also faces unpleasant questions in this context. Ultimately, political responsibility lies with each other, as a Hungarian constitutional lawyer emphasized on propeller.hu. Because without the ministerial countersignature, the amnesty decision is not valid. This of course adds even more grist to the mill of the opposition, which obviously senses a Fidesz scandal here.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
