Hungary’s conservative president resigned over the weekend amid public outcry over a pardon she granted to a man convicted of covering up a child sexual abuse case.
Katalin Novak, 46, announced in a live televised message that she would step down from the presidency over the ordeal.
“I issued a pardon that caused bewilderment and unrest for many people,” Novák said on Saturday. “I made a mistake.”
Her decision came after more than a week of public outrage after it was revealed that she granted a presidential pardon in April 2023 to a man convicted of hiding child sexual abuses in a government funded children’s home.
“I decided in favor of clemency in April of last year in the belief that the convict did not abuse the vulnerability of the children entrusted to him. I made a mistake,” Novák said Saturday. “I apologize to those I have hurt and to any victims who may have felt I am not standing up for them.”
The man was reportedly found guilty of pressuring victims to retract their claims of sexual abuse by the institution’s director, who was sentenced to eight years for abusing at least 10 children between 2004 and 2016.
Novak was the first female president in Hungary’s history and an outspoken advocate for traditional family values and protecting children.
“As head of state, I am addressing you for the last time today. I resign from the office of president of the republic,” she said.
