Novak's resignation, announced on Saturday, follows public outcry and calls for accountability from opposition figures.

Novak, known as a staunch ally of conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban, faced intense scrutiny after a local news outlet reported her presidential pardon.

The move sparked widespread condemnation. It led to demands for her resignation and the departure of former Justice Minister Judit Varga, a prominent figure in Orban's ruling Fidesz party.

The scandal marks a rare setback for Orban who has maintained a firm grip on power since 2010. It comes at a critical juncture as Hungary grapples with economic challenges and prepares for European parliament elections.

Orban's stance on issues such as child protection and LGBTQ rights has drawn criticism from the European Commission in the past.

"I made a mistake"

In her televised resignation speech, President Katalin Novak acknowledged her error: "I made a mistake."

She cited her decision to grant the pardon, expressing regret over its impact on perceptions of the government's commitment to combating paedophilia.

The opposition had been vocal in demanding Novak's resignation, with protests gathering momentum outside her office. In response, Orban proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the president's authority to pardon crimes against children, seen by many as a direct response to the controversy.

Judit Varga who endorsed the controversial pardon also announced her resignation from public life, taking responsibility for her actions. Fidesz, the ruling party, supported Novak and Varga's decisions, emphasising their accountability.

Despite the turmoil, Fidesz remains dominant in Hungarian politics, leading in opinion polls ahead of the upcoming elections. However, the fallout from the scandal underscores the challenges facing Orban's government as it navigates both domestic and international pressures.

Blow to Orban's government

The resignation of the Hungarian President Novak and former Justice Minister Varga represents a significant blow to Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government.

This double resignation, amidst increasing protests, has deprived Viktor Orban of two very different but essential allies.

There has been strict silence from the prime minister himself, at least for now. It is undoubtedly his biggest challenge in 14 years of uninterrupted Fidesz rule.

While the high-profile resignations have dented his power, they have not yet seriously damaged it.

An anti-Orban protest is planned for Friday, but the prime minister is expected to come out fighting, presumably on Saturday when he is due to deliver his annual State of the Nation address.

Sources

Reuters

BBC

CathNews New Zealand

Backers of the law emphasized the need to protect children and to support parents, though the move has drawn criticism from the Hungarian opposition parties, LGBT activists, NGOs, and the U.S. embassy.

Citing the need to ensure "the protection of children's rights," the law says, "pornography and content that depicts sexuality for its own purposes or that promotes deviation from gender identity, gender reassignment and homosexuality shall not be made available to persons under the age of 18."

Read More

At the start of his European Parliamentary elections campaign, Orban has made it clear he thinks an influx of foreigners has put national traditions including religion in jeopardy.

He says allowing more immigrants into the country has led to the "virus of (Islamic) terrorism".

Those who favor "immigration and migrants for whatever reason in reality are creating mixed-race nations," Orban says.

"Historic traditions in immigrant countries come to an end.

"In such countries, Christian-Muslim worlds are continually shrinking Christian populations."

Orban says admitting more foreigners would be a sign of "capitulation" and a threat to the Church.

"Immigration brings increased crime, especially crimes against women, and lets in the virus of terrorism."

Nonetheless, Orban is concerned for Hungary's declining population, where the fertility rate is currently 1.45 children per woman.

But "we don't just want numbers, we want Hungarian babies," he says.

He has therefore proposed a seven-point package of tax breaks and subsidies to compel households to raise more children.

His efforts to encourage Hungarians to have more babies include the opportunity for women with four children or more to be exempt from paying income tax for life.

Orban has also promised to reduce mortgage payments for those with children, offer state aid in purchasing larger family vehicles, include grandparents on maternity leave, add daycare options, and introduce new loans available for families.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• La Croix
• Image: Daily Express