Hungary’s President Katalin Novák resigned from office this Saturday, February 10. In an address to the nation she acknowledged that she made an error of judgment in granting a pardon last year.
“As a Hungarian, I would hope that the President of Hungary would not make mistakes. If he does make them, I would expect him to stand up to those he is accountable to and take responsibility. Even by resigning from the office of President of Hungary. [Today is the last time I address you as President of Hungary. I am resigning as President,” he said.
The pardon in question is one of 22 he granted on the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to his country in April 2023. The beneficiary was the south director of a children’s institution in Bicske, 30 kilometers from Budapest, where his superior, the director and head of the center, sexually abused minors.
The abuser was denounced, removed from office, prosecuted and convicted. The deputy director, on the other hand, was charged and convicted of trying to get one of the victims to say that he had lied about the facts, at the request of his superior. He was found guilty and began his sentence in 2020, pleading his innocence and appealing to higher courts.
When he received his pardon, the deputy director had a year and a half to go before the end of his sentence.
In his speech Novak explained: “The pardon power is perhaps the most delicate of all. Because it is a decision about the life of a human being, based on the request for clemency and the information available at the time. [I would never grant a pardon to anyone who I thought physically or psychologically abused children. […] I was in favor of granting clemency on the grounds that the convicted person did not take advantage of the vulnerability of the children entrusted to his care.”
And he acknowledged: “I made a mistake, because the decision to grant the pardon and not communicate the reasons behind it allowed doubts to be raised regarding the zero tolerance policy on child sexual abuse. However, there is no room for doubt here, and there cannot be. That was the way it was then, and it remains the way it is today.”
“I apologize to those I offended, and to all victims who may have felt that I did not defend them. I stood up for families and children in the past, I stand up for them today, and I will stand up for them tomorrow.”
Katalin Novák was one of the most disliked female political figures in Hungary in recent years. Since Viktor Orbán came to power in 2010, she held roles in the government. She was a ministerial advisor until 2014, State Secretary of Family and Youth until 2020, then Minister of Family until the end of 2021, when she was appointed President of the country. She was the driving force behind the successful pro-family public policy promoted by the Orbán government. She was also vice president of Fidesz from 2017 to 2021 and president of Political Network for Values from 2019 to 2021.
Along with Novak, also resigned as an MEP and head of the list of candidates for the European Parliament, Judit Varga, former Minister of Justice, who gave her approval for the pardon when she was in office.
The dignified and courageous way in which Novak assumed the error of judgment she committed and the consistent attitude with what she herself would demand from anyone in her position, is unheard of in the political environment. Read here the full text of her resignation speech:
Katalin Novák’s resignation speech.
Budapest, February 10, 2024. 17:02
Dear Hungarian people, so dear to me, from inside the borders and beyond. I am now addressing you. Not the politicians, not the political pundits, but those whom I swore to serve two years ago.
I undertook this responsibility because I love Hungary, our homeland passionately and because I believe in you. I believe that we are a peaceful, loving nation, and that we care for each other. I believe in the silent majority, in the people who work hard day by day, I believe in integrity, uprightness, and in the power of love. These are the values we have inherited from our grandparents and parents, and we want to pass them on to our children and grandchildren.
I adopted a clemency decision which has left many people confused and unsettled. They understandably want an explanation.
The power of pardon is perhaps the most sensitive of all. Because the decision is about the life of a human being, based on the clemency application and the then available information. In April last year, I decided in favour of granting pardon in the belief that the convicted did not take advantage of the vulnerability of the children entrusted to his care. I made a mistake, because the decision to grant pardon and the absence of the reasons behind it allowed for doubts to be raised in connection with the policy of zero tolerance on child sexual abuse. However, there is no room for doubt here, and there cannot be any. I would never grant pardon to anyone whom I thought abused children physically or psychologically. It was like this back then, and it is still like this today.
The responsibility of the President of Hungary, also enshrined in the Fundamental Law, is to embody the unity of the nation. Children are our most important treasure. I think that our nation is unified on this matter – despite all the differences of opinion. Protecting children is a duty we all share. I gave birth to three children, so I personally experienced how much a helpless, vulnerable life is in need of security and protection.
As a Hungarian, I would expect the President of Hungary not to make mistakes. If they did, I would expect them to face those to whom they are accountable and take responsibility. Even by resigning from the position of President of Hungary. I apologise to those whom I offended, and to all victims who might have felt that I failed to stand up for them. I stood for families and children in the past, I stand for them today and will stand for them tomorrow.
Today is the last time I address you as President of Hungary. I resign from my position as President.
The decision was difficult not for personal reasons. It was difficult because I have taken an oath. Now I had to find an answer to the question whether I would be able to perform the office of President of Hungary to the benefit of the Hungarian nation, remaining faithful to my oath. Would I have the liberty necessary to fulfil my duties well, as a sovereign head of state? My answer to both questions is no.
I apologise to those who now feel that I am abandoning them. Who now feel that hate has conquered love.
The question I had to ask myself was this: what is the message I am sending my children and young Hungarians with my decision? I encourage them to engage in service with all their might and with all their talent. To not give up even in difficult times, to persevere as long as possible, to take responsibility for their mistakes. And, if they feel that they would have to sacrifice their sovereignty, to be capable of handing over their position to someone else with dignity. Sovereignty is a precious treasure. For individuals and nations alike. Let us protect it!
Thank you! Thank you for having given purpose and meaning to the office of President of Hungary. Thank you for the connections – the greatest gifts of these two years. Thank you for the opportunity to sit down on the wooden stool, for the possibility to shift the light to where there is less of it in daily life. Those with whom I have worked together, I thank their high-quality work, dedication, humanity. Thank you to my family for the secure background at all times. Thank you István for having been together for twenty-five years in beautiful as well as difficult times. For helping me show that a man can support his partner just as much as a woman. Thank you Ádám, Tamás and Kata for the joy of being your mother, and for giving purpose to the next phase of my life after public life.
The world of politics is tough, even ruthless at times. Some think that it is therefore not for us, women. I disagree. Let us not give up! Women are needed in public life as well, because in my belief, with women in public life, over time, the world will become fairer, more peaceful, and undoubtedly more meaningful.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Hungarian nation.
Oh God, bless the nation of Hungary! For Yours is the kingdom, Yourts is the power, Yours is the glory.
