Budapest. The political future of Hungarian President Katalin Novák hangs in the balance after a scandal involving a presidential pardon has triggered calls for her resignation. Novák, a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the first woman to hold the office, is facing mounting pressure from opposition parties and civil society groups to step down.
The controversy centres on a pardon granted last year to a man convicted of covering up a child sexual abuse case in a state-run children's home. The decision has sparked public outrage, with protesters gathering outside the presidential palace. Orbán, who appointed Novák in 2022, has so far remained silent on the matter, leading to speculation that he may be distancing himself from the embattled president.
Analysts suggest that Novák's ouster could destabilise Orbán's grip on power, as she was seen as a key figure in his Fidesz party's strategy to consolidate control over state institutions. The British government, which has maintained cordial relations with Orbán despite differences over rule-of-law issues, has expressed concern over the situation. A Foreign Office spokesperson said that the UK supports the rule of law and democratic processes in Hungary.
The unfolding crisis comes at a time when Orbán faces growing scrutiny from the European Union over allegations of democratic backsliding. Novák's potential removal would mark the first time a Hungarian president has been forced from office since the fall of communism.
