Hungarian right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered his 25th State of the Nation address in Budapest on Saturday. The appearance came amid a scandal over the pardon of a pedophile accomplice, sparking a wave of outrage in the country and putting pressure on Orbán and his ruling Fidesz party. Orbán spoke for the first time since President Katalin Novák resigned a week ago. He described it as a “nightmare that has affected us all”.
Last April, Novák pardoned the supporter of a pedophile children’s home director who had been convicted of complicity. The decision became public in early February after media reports.
Mass demonstration in Budapest
Novák and then Justice Minister Judit Varga, who co-signed the pardon, had to withdraw from politics last Saturday. Society’s outrage became apparent on Friday during a mass demonstration on Heroes’ Square in Budapest. More than 50,000 people took part in the event organized by YouTubers and influencers to protect children.
Novák lobbied Orbán
The year 2024 could not have started worse, Orbán began his speech. Orbán praised outgoing President Novák, who worked and fought for Hungary. Her resignation is indeed the right thing to do, but at the same time it is a great loss for Hungary. Their decision to pardon an offender convicted of covering up pedophile crimes was rejected by the vast majority of Hungarians.
Orban announces a strengthening of child protection
Maintaining national unity is the greatest and most difficult task of a head of state. If this unity becomes out of balance, a solution must be found, Orbán emphasized. Novák could no longer restore this unity, which was evident from her resignation. This could only happen with the election of a new head of state. The head of government did not provide any information about him in his speech. Orbán announced the strengthening of child protection, stricter regulations and the preparation of a new legislative package for child protection.
“Even good people can make bad decisions”
In connection with former Justice Minister Judit Varga, who was actually intended as the top candidate of the ruling party Fidesz in the upcoming EU elections, the Prime Minister recalled that she had co-signed the amnesty decision. “Even good people can make bad decisions.” Regarding the post-resignation debates, Orbán, taking a swipe at the opposition, emphasized: “There was more dignity in the little fingers of the two women than in all the leaders of the left.”
Orbán focuses on energy independence
But now life goes on, the Prime Minister stressed, admitting that it had not been possible to keep the budget deficit low and promote economic growth. At the same time, Hungary is “just a few years away from energy independence,” he pointed out both the construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant and the solar energy expansion program, “which is galloping like a runaway horse.” In connection with the construction of the controversial battery factories in Hungary, Orbán promised that only factories that met European standards could be built.
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.
