NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 11- Hungary’s President Katalin Novák has resigned over the pardon she gave to an official jailed for forcing children to retract sexual abuse claims.
Novák, 46, who became the first woman to take over the role of Hungarian president in 2022, confirmed her resignation Saturday in a televised address to the nation.
She thanked Hungarian citizens and friends for “everything” as she announced her departure from office.
“Today [Saturday], I resigned from my office as President of Hungary. Thank you for everything to all my friends in all four corners of the world,” Novák said.
“Hungary is a wonderful country with marvelous people, a good partner, an even better friend, and a reliable ally.”
President Novák apologized and said she made “a mistake” in granting clemency to the director who had been jailed for three years following the offense.
Novák resigned following mounting public pressure after Hungarian media disclosed the names of 25 individuals pardoned by Novák in April 2023.
The pardon came on the eve the visit to Hungary by Pope Francis.
In her last public engagement posted on her X account, Volak met with Husain Al-Musallam, the President of World Aquatics in Doha where she said her discussion centred around the hosting of the 2027 World Aquatic Championships.
Before assuming the presidency, Novák served as a member of the National Assembly for Fidesz (Hungarian Civic Party) from 2018 to 2022.
During this time, she also held the position of Minister for Family Affairs in the fourth Orbán government from 2020 to 2021.
