Protests continue

“Moral crisis” in Hungary not yet over

The protests continue even after the resignation of the Hungarian president.(Bild: AP)

While Hungary's head of state believes that the paedophilia scandal is over following the resignation of Hungarian President Katalin Novák and the withdrawal of former Justice Minister Judit Varga from political life, numerous non-governmental organizations believe that the "moral crisis" is not yet over. The next major rally has been announced for Friday in Budapest.

Under the motto "Enough is enough", citizens should raise their voices for the protection of victims, transparency, human decency and an honest social dialog, the online portal szmo.hu quoted from a joint statement by NGOs and well-known Hungarian artists and influencers on Tuesday. It is unacceptable that Hungarian public life consists of agitation, hatred and character assassination.

Head of state Katalin Novák during her last speech to the Hungarian people(Bild: APA/AFP/Ferenc ISZA)

The organizers emphasized that both Novák and Varga were responsible for the events. According to the online portal hvg.hu, the former justice minister initially did not support the pardon application last year, but ultimately countersigned it after the president signed it.

The protests continue even after the Hungarian president's resignation.(Bild: AP)

Hungarian bishop now also in the spotlight
Meanwhile, Zoltán Balog, leading bishop of the Reformed Church and former Minister for Human Resources, is also coming under pressure. According to media reports, he is said to have played a key role in the pardon of Endre K., who was convicted of covering up pedophile crimes. He is said to have suggested to Novák that an amnesty be granted. The good relationship between Novák and Balog is well known and, according to insider information, she would "do anything for him", wrote hvg.hu.

Zoltán Balog(Bild: AFP)

In a letter to the leadership of the Reformed Church, Balog denied any guilt. The request for a pardon was not his personal decision and he had not submitted it. The office of the outgoing president also stated that there had been no meetings with either Balog or K.'s wife, as had recently been reported in the media.