The Hungarian President pardoned the deputy head of a children’s home, even though he helped cover up abuse. Her resignation is intended to relieve the government – but the Hungarians are not going along with that.
The resignation of two high-ranking politicians may at first glance seem like rapid and consistent damage limitation after a scandal that has affected Hungary like no other. In the spring of 2023, President Katalin Novák pardoned a man who is said to have urged victims of abuse to remain silent in order to protect his boss, the head of a children’s home. Former Justice Minister Judit Varga, the ruling party’s top candidate for the European elections until Saturday, countersigned the pardon request.