Protest in Hungary over presidential pardon given to accomplice in child sex abuse case

Ten of Swords

In advance of the Pope's visit to Hungary at the end of April 2023 the president of Hungary Katalin Novak granted 27 presidential pardons.

It has come to light now that one of those released was Endre Konya - the deputy director of a state run orphanage in the town of Bicske who actively covered up the directors sexual abuse of boys aged 10-18 by pressuring them to withdraw any complaints made. He had been sentenced to 3 years and 4 months, and had 9 months remaining when he received his pardon.

Since this news broke President Novak has resigned amid massive pressure, the Justice Minister Judit Varga (who countersigned the release order) also and today Zoltan Balog (a former Fidesz government minister until 2018 and now a bishop who actively supported the pardon) also resigned.

https://balkaninsight.com/2024/02/12/hungary-government-hopes-novaks-resignation-ends-scandal-but-questions-remain/

It was obviously hoped the resignations would be the end of it a protest estimated to number in excess of 40,000 descended on Central Budapest tonight with people sick of the Fidesz party and calling for Prime Minister Orban to resign too.

This was the protest tonight, in advance of Orban's annual address to the nation due to take place tomorrow

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GGezq7NXsAA7Aho?format=jpg&name=large

This article details the protest however the comments accompanying the article give details of the protest goals

https://dailynewshungary.com/mass-demonstration-in-budapest-downtown-today-traffic-public-transport-changes/

Furze99

It's kinda outside this country and not relevant to ordinary peoples lives here? There's a range of other topics occupying peoples thoughts here on a daily basis in my experience.......

wandererz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121777605#Comment_121777605

So why are you wasting your time posting on here?

Amd why do you bother posting on the Russia thread?

As an ordinary person, I was looking to fly to Budapest in the next day or three. Something to do like this definitely would be of relevance to me.

Headshot

God I hope this is the end of Orban

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121777670#Comment_121777670

Because I'm interested in Current Affairs. I suppose if it has a detrimental effect on Orbán, it may be of wider relevance. But it will take a lot more than a few crooked local officials to get rid of him.

I.R.Y.E.D

There were protests about this last week also and has lead to the resignation of the Hungarian president for their issuing the pardon and another of Orbans allies.

This weeks protest are expected to be larger, but it isn't a current affairs issue if it is someone that some admire.

silliussoddius

NATO aggression strikes again.

eightieschewbaccy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121777709#Comment_121777709

In fairness, Orban himself is a crooked official. I look forward to the day where he is eventually ousted.

francois

This is interesting, as Fidez promote themselves and Hungry as "family friendly" (code for we don't like LGBTQ) Orban typically trying to distance himself, but must be looking over to see what happened to PiS in Poland. Hopefully the beginning of the end of him. A former communist party apparatchik turned wannabe despot, what a surprise.

Ten of Swords

Orban's state of the nation address today made a fairly brief mention of it, I think they're still hoping it will all blow over

In his speech commemorating the 25th anniversary of his inaugural address to the nation during his initial term as prime minister in 1999, Orbán promptly acknowledged President Katalin Novák's recent resignation, saying that 2024 "could not have begun any worse" and characterising her departure as a "nightmare" for the nation.

International news organisations, including The Associated Press, and Hungary's independent media outlets were barred from attending the address.

Orbán tried to mitigate concerns regarding the scandal, which has rocked his nationalist Fidesz party in recent weeks, affirming that Novák had made the right decision by stepping down.

He remarked, "Novák’s resignation was 'correct, but a big loss for Hungary,'" asserting that her decision was necessary in the circumstances. "What happened is what needed to happen in this situation. Good people also make bad decisions."

https://www.euronews.com/2024/02/17/orban-addresses-hungary-in-first-appearance-since-countrys-president-quit-in-a-scandal

He also offered up a bit of a distraction, saying Hungary could (not would) ratify Sweden's NATO membership on Feb 26th when their parliament reconvenes

francois

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121782209#Comment_121782209

His NATO ploy was as transparent distraction as Putin wanting Biden as president. He's not particularly subtle as a politician.

banie01

Has there ever been a right wing political populist movement, that hasn't yet been guilty of that which they hurl as accusations to silence others?

Without my being so reductive as going straight to Godwinning the thread, it really is astonishing how often those who seek to impose family values, morality and draped in religion. Always seem to come undone by their own abeyance of the rules they seek to impose.

Orban and Fidesz have had a remarkable run under Orban. Moreso given the party was originally centre left. It is a party that has captured an outright majority of votes and seats in Hungary. Can it's political popularity survive the fall out of the pardons? Can Orban manage to take control of the expanding scandal and fall out?

I don't know enough about Hungarian politics to opine a way past this. I do have a couple of Magyar friends who are very anti-Orban but, that's as much a reflection of their liberalism as it is Orban's policies. Can organised protest, pressure and further resignations force an election? Even if it can, are the parties opposing Fidesz in any fit state to take advantage?

Fidesz have become embedded and their policies and attitudes have to date, often enjoyed popular support. There needs to be some soul searching and a reset.