Orban described the scandal as a “nightmare that affected us all.” Last April, Novak pardoned the supporter of the director of a pedophile children's home who had been convicted of complicity. The decision became public in early February following a media report. Novak and the then Minister of Justice, Judit Varga, who endorsed the pardon, had to withdraw from politics last Saturday.
Society's outrage was evident on Friday in a mass demonstration in Budapest's Heroes' Square. According to police, more than 50,000 people attended the event organized by YouTubers and influencers to protect children, and organizers estimated the number at at least 150,000.
Praise for Novak who resigned
Orban admitted at the beginning of his speech that the year 2024 could not have started worse. Orban praised outgoing President Novak, who worked and fought for Hungary. His resignation is indeed the right thing to do, but at the same time it is a huge loss for Hungary. His decision to pardon a perpetrator convicted of covering up pedophilia crimes was rejected by the vast majority of Hungarians.
Maintaining national unity is the most beautiful and difficult task of the head of state. If this unity becomes unbalanced, a solution will need to be found, Orbán emphasized. Novak was no longer able to restore this unity, which was proven by his resignation.
There is no information about the successor
This can only happen with the election of a new head of state. The head of government did not provide any information about him in his speech. Orban announced the strengthening of child protection, stricter regulations and the preparation of a new legal package for child protection.
Regarding the former Minister of Justice Varga, who actually intended to be the main candidate of the ruling party FIDESZ in the next EU elections, the Prime Minister recalled that she had ratified the amnesty decision. “Even good people can make bad decisions.” Regarding the debates after the dismissals, Orban emphasized with a jab at the opposition: There was “more dignity in the little fingers of the two women than in all the leaders of the left. ”
Recognizes economic problems
But now life goes on, the prime minister emphasized and admitted that it was not possible to keep the budget deficit low and maintain economic growth. At the same time, Hungary is “just a few years away from energy independence”, highlighting both the construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant and the solar energy expansion program, “which gallops like a runaway horse”. In connection with the construction of the controversial battery factories in Hungary, Orban promised that only factories that meet European standards would be allowed to be built.
Portal/Remo Casilli Novak and Orban in better times
Again criticism of the EU
Orbán again called for changes in Brussels that had to be implemented. He described it as a “political mistake” that Ukraine’s EU accession process had been started – albeit slowly. On the other hand, the expansion of the European Union through the Balkan States has stalled.
2024 will be another successful year in Hungary, with Brussels causing more and more problems and plunging into the “conflict between the two Slavic peoples”. Orban used this expression to describe the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine and the war has lasted two years.
Hopes for Trump's return
Most recently, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that former US President Donald Trump will win the next US election. Trump will guarantee peace in the eastern half of Europe, said Orban, who has scorned current US President Joe Biden with his open partisanship.