Katalin Novák began her speech from the Sándor Palace by saying that she was not addressing their politicians.
The President of the Republic interrupted his trip to Doha and came home to Budapest a day earlier.
Katalin Novák said that she took on this task because she passionately loves Hungary, believes in the silent majority, honor, uprightness, and love.
Katalin Novák admitted that it is understandable that they are waiting for an explanation about the pardon decision, that the power to pardon is the most sensitive of all. The head of state decided in favor of the pardon in the belief that the convict did not abuse it.
"I was wrong. The clemency decision and the lack of justification were apt to raise doubts. There is no doubt here and cannot be. I would never pardon anyone who abuses children. Protecting children is our shared responsibility"
- said Katalin Novák, adding: as a Hungarian, she would expect the president of the republic not to make mistakes, and if he does, to take responsibility, even by resigning from his position.
I apologize to those I have offended and to any victims who may have felt that I was not standing up for them. Today I am speaking to you for the last time as head of state, I am resigning from the office of president of the republic.
Featured image: MTI/Róbert Hegedüs
