The coronavirus epidemic and the war mask the dangers that are still lurking there for children - President-elect Katalin Novák said on Kossuth radio Good morning, Hungary! in his show.
In connection with the referendum on April 3, he called it an important and indisputable right for parents to decide for themselves about the sexual education of their children.
The head of state, who took office in May, explained that, in addition to the epidemic and the war, it may not be so obvious now, but there are dangers that threaten our children, "not necessarily in a physical sense, but more in terms of their mental and spiritual safety."
Katalin Novák reminded that next weekend, in addition to the parliamentary election, there will also be a very important national referendum, which will give everyone the opportunity to take a stand on whether children's safety should be primarily guaranteed by parents, and whether parents' rights in the sexual development of children should it be kept?
"As a mother, it is very important for me to be able to guarantee the long-term intellectual, spiritual and emotional safety of our children," said Katalin Novák.
According to the elected president of the republic, the referendum gives parents the opportunity to declare how important they consider their children's long-term physical, emotional, mental and spiritual safety and how they can preserve it. He pointed out that parents often encounter the fact that it is difficult to protect children on a daily basis "from the danger that makes them uncertain about their gender identity".
He said the war in Ukraine showed that when people defend their lives, "everything becomes simpler and clearer." Katalin Novák reported that during her visit along the border, she met mothers for whom nothing is more important than knowing their children are safe, and she also saw men who also know nothing more important than knowing their wives and children are safe.
Katalin Novák stated that she is happy that even as president of the republic she can support the cause of Hungarian families, she will not forget her previous family policy goals.
"There is no more important issue for us than the future of our children, and this is closely related to helping families," he said.
"I'm proud to live in a country where families are at the center, and I'm proud that it's a country where more and more people dare to have children, start a family and dare to say that for all of us, the family is the sustaining strength," said Katalin Novák.
The president-elect said that he experienced a moving cooperation during his four-day visit along the Ukrainian border. He emphasized that he had only gained positive experiences, that there were no party-based differences of opinion among the people helping the refugees.
Katalin Novák emphasized that everyone is trying to help: the government, the charity council, aid organizations, churches and civil society are also doing their part.
He emphasized that at the very beginning everyone was shocked by Russia's aggressive action, but now the assistance to the refugees is extremely well organized.
Katalin Novák explained that she is confident that the wave of the coronavirus epidemic has already passed, but instead of a sigh of relief, a "quite dramatic, new situation" has emerged due to the war started by Russia a month ago.
He said that he went to twelve settlements along the border because he feels that the country's leaders should be where there is trouble.
In addition to orientation, the main purpose of her visit was to express the gratitude of the Hungarian people, said Katalin Novák, and then she said, "The heart of Hungary now beats in this region."
He also reported that he didn't see any trash thrown anywhere, he didn't feel that public safety was damaged anywhere, but at the same time, he met hundreds of helpers who are "the same ordinary people as any of us" and are ready to support the refugees day and night.
He emphasized, "It was never easy to be Hungarian in the Carpathians, life there was not easy at almost any time in the last hundred years, but now a Hungarian culture of life and education has developed there, which is not only livable, but also gives hope that even a hundred years from now will become a Hungarian word".
"This is now in jeopardy, as many fled, many stayed, but Hungarian kindergartens and schools had to be transformed into refugee accommodation," said Katalin Novák.
He said that during the four days he experienced that "we have two armies: we have the armed forces and there are the helpful Hungarian people".
Katalin Novák was also asked about the fact that, according to the opposition, the government does not provide adequate assistance to the refugees and leaves civil organizations alone. "There is absolutely no need to spread scaremongering right now," said the president-elect, adding that people helping refugees need to be strengthened.
He said that, as far as he knows, more than 800 million forints have been donated to the 1357 donation line, and in addition to people's material donations, the government has supported six charitable organizations helping refugees with 500 million forints each.
Katalin Novák said that outgoing President János Áder and his wife, Anita Herczegh, provided her with a lot of useful advice.
MTI
MTI Photo: Csaba Krizsán
