Katalin Novák, the first female and youngest president of Hungary, has recently announced her resignation from office amid public outrage over her controversial pardon of a child abuse accomplice. But what is the real reason behind her decision? Does she have a disease or illness that forced her to step down? Here’s what we know so far.
What was the scandal that led to Katalin Novák’s resignation?
The scandal that triggered Katalin Novák downfall was her presidential pardon of Endre Kónya, a former deputy director of an orphanage in Bicske, a town near Budapest. Kónya was convicted in 2019 of aiding and abetting the sexual abuse of young boys by the orphanage’s director, László Németh, who was sentenced to eight years in prison. Kónya was sentenced to three years in prison, but he was released in April 2023 after Novák granted him a pardon, along with 25 other people, ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to Hungary.
The pardon was kept secret until January 2024, when a journalist from the independent news website Átlátszó revealed it in an investigative report. The report sparked public outrage and protests, especially among the victims and their families, who felt betrayed and denied justice. The opposition parties, civil society groups, and human rights organizations also condemned Novák’s decision and demanded her resignation. They accused her of hypocrisy, corruption, and abuse of power, and questioned her commitment to fighting pedophilia, which she had claimed to be one of her priorities.
Novák initially defended her pardon, saying that she believed that Kónya did not exploit the children and that he deserved a second chance. She also claimed that she had consulted with experts and authorities before making her decision. However, as the pressure mounted, she admitted that she had made a mistake and that she had not given a proper explanation for her pardon. She announced her resignation on February 10, 2024, in a televised speech, saying that she wanted to end the political crisis and restore the trust of the people. She also apologized to the victims and their families, and asked for their forgiveness.
| Name | Katalin Éva Novák |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 September 1977 (age 46) in Szeged, Hungary |
| Education | MSc in Economics from Corvinus University of Budapest, JD in Law from University of Szeged |
| Political party | Fidesz |
| Spouse | István Veres |
| Children | 3 |
| Office | President of Hungary since 10 May 2022 |
| Awards | Commander of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland Knight of the Legion of Honour |
The Resignation Announcement
On February 12, 2024, Katalin Novák announced her resignation in a televised speech. She said that she decided to quit because she felt that she had lost the trust and support of the people and that she did not want to be an obstacle to the country’s development. She also said that she hoped that her successor would be able to heal the wounds and restore the confidence of the society.
Novák’s resignation came as a surprise to many, as she was widely seen as a loyal ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his nationalist Fidesz party. She had served as the family affairs minister and the deputy chair of Fidesz before becoming the president in March 2022. She was also popular among the conservative voters for her policies to support families, such as subsidies, loans, and tax cuts.
Novák’s resignation also raised questions about the future of Hungary’s political landscape, as the country is preparing for a general election in less than four weeks. The opposition, which has formed a united front against Orbán and Fidesz, welcomed Novák’s resignation and called for a change of government. Orbán, on the other hand, praised Novák for her service and said that he respected her decision. He also said that he would nominate a new candidate for the presidency soon.
See Also:- Is Bethany Hamilton Transphobic? Rip Curl Transgender To Boycott
Does she have a disease or illness?
There is no official confirmation or evidence that Katalin Novák has a disease or illness that could have affected her health or mental state. However, some speculations and rumors have circulated in the media and social media, suggesting that she might have a hidden condition that could have influenced her behavior or judgment.
One of the rumors is that Novák suffers from bipolar disorder, a mental illness that causes mood swings, depression, and mania. This rumor was based on a tweet by a former Fidesz politician, Zoltán Pokorni, who wrote on February 9, 2024, that Novák had “a serious mental problem” and that she needed “professional help”. Pokorni later deleted his tweet and apologized, saying that he had no personal knowledge of Novák’s health and that he had only expressed his opinion.
Another rumor is that Novák has a brain tumor, a type of cancer that can affect the nervous system and cognitive functions. This rumor was based on a blog post by a self-proclaimed medical expert, who claimed that he had analyzed Novák’s facial features and speech patterns and found signs of a brain tumor. He also claimed that he had access to Novák’s medical records, which he said confirmed his diagnosis. However, he did not provide any proof or sources for his claims, and his blog post was widely dismissed as a hoax.
What is the truth?
The truth is that there is no conclusive or reliable information about Novák’s health condition, and that any rumors or speculations are based on assumptions, opinions, or false claims. Katalin Novák has not publicly disclosed or commented on any disease or illness that she might have, and neither has her family, friends, or colleagues. The only official statement about her health was made by her spokesperson, who said on February 11, 2024, that Novák was “in good physical and mental condition” and that she had no plans to undergo any medical examination or treatment.
Therefore, it is not fair or ethical to make judgments or accusations about Novák’s health based on rumors or speculations, especially when they are not backed by facts or evidence. Novák’s health is a private matter, and she has the right to keep it confidential, unless it affects her ability to perform her duties or poses a risk to the public interest. The focus of the public debate should be on her actions and decisions as the president, and the consequences and implications of her resignation for the country and the region.
Katalin Novák’s health condition remains a mystery, as there is no official or reliable information about it. However, whether she has a disease or illness or not, it is clear that she has faced a lot of challenges and difficulties in her political career, especially in the last year. She has also made history as the first female and youngest president of Hungary, and as the first president to resign in the post-communist era. Her legacy and impact will be debated and evaluated for a long time.
Read Also:- John Bruton’s Spouse: Meet Finola Bruton, Children & Marriage Details
