In a shocking turn of events, Hungary's conservative president, Katalin Novák, has announced her resignation following intense public backlash over a controversial pardon she granted to a man convicted as an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case. The decision has sparked an unprecedented political scandal for the long-serving nationalist government.

Novák, who has held the presidency since 2022, made the announcement in a televised message. Her decision came after more than a week of public outrage following the revelation that she issued a presidential pardon in April 2023 to a man convicted of concealing a series of child sexual abuses in a state-run children's home.

Expressing remorse for her actions, Novák acknowledged the bewilderment and unrest caused by her pardon. She admitted to making a mistake and apologized to those who were hurt, as well as any victims who may have felt that she was not standing up for them.

This resignation marks a rare episode of political turmoil for Hungary's nationalist governing party Fidesz, which has been in power with a constitutional majority since 2010 under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Fidesz has faced accusations of undermining democratic institutions, manipulating the electoral system, and exerting control over the media.

Novák, a former vice president of Fidesz and a close ally of Orbán, previously served as the minister for families before her appointment as president. Known for her advocacy of traditional family values and the protection of children, she was the first female president in Hungary's history and the youngest person to ever hold the office.

However, her tenure was cut short following the controversial pardon of a man who had been sentenced in 2018 to over three years in prison. The man had been found guilty of pressuring victims to retract their claims of sexual abuse by the institution's director, who was himself sentenced to eight years for abusing at least 10 children between 2004 and 2016.

Judit Varga, another prominent Fidesz figure who was the minister of justice at the time and endorsed the pardon, has also taken political responsibility. In a Facebook post, Varga announced her retirement from public life, resigning from her seat as a member of parliament and as the leader of the European Parliament list.

Protests had initially been planned to call for Novák's resignation, and approximately 200 people gathered outside the presidential headquarters in Budapest on Saturday evening.

The resignation of President Novák and the fallout from the controversial pardon have sent shockwaves through Hungary's political landscape, highlighting the deep divisions and ongoing struggles over issues of democratic governance and the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly children.