The epicentre of this political earthquake is the Hungarian government’s controversial pardon of a man charged with aiding a paedophile, delivering a severe blow to Viktor Orban’s carefully crafted image.

This unexpected move has not only tarnished Orban’s reputation but has also triggered criticism from former allies, creating fault lines within the political establishment.

February 10th marked a seismic shift in Hungarian politics as news broke of President Katalin Novak’s resignation, a figure elected less than two years ago.

Simultaneously, former Justice Minister Judit Varga announced her political departure, stepping away from public life and relinquishing her parliamentary mandate.

The scandal that engulfed them involved the pardon of the deputy director of a children’s home in Bicske, a town west of Budapest, accused of covering up sexual abuse by his director, Janos V., who had been found guilty of abusing at least 10 underage boys.

The labyrinth of this scandal deepened on April 27, 2023, when President Katalin Novak pardoned Endre K. and 21 others. The pardon required the approval of the Minister of Justice, who, in this case, was Judit Varga.

Both have now resigned, admitting to their mistake last year. The revelation of this confidential process became public in September, igniting public outrage after an opposition liberal Hungarian publication exposed the story on February 2nd.

In the wake of Novak and Varga’s resignations, investigative journalism uncovered a web of connections, suggesting that Zoltan Balog, the current head of the Hungarian Reformed Church and former Minister of Human Resources in Orban’s government, was involved.

Balog, closely associated with Novak, had a hand in this scandal, revealing the intricate power dynamics within Orban’s inner circle.

Varga’s office initially resisted signing the pardon, but the President’s insistence led to the Ministry of Justice’s agreement, leaving the motive behind the sudden change unexplained.

This scandal strikes at the core of Orban’s political ideology, which emphasises the protection of children and family values.

The ruling party’s simultaneous pardon of a paedophile’s accomplice has sown doubt among even the staunchest Orban supporters, prompting questions about the integrity of the regime.

The fallout from this scandal has resulted in the dismissal of key figures who were previously considered favourites of Orban.

In contrast, Orban himself, who started with a sharp and categorical statement, now maintains a conspicuous silence.

Speculation swirls about the true instigators of the story, hinting that they may remain in the shadows, avoiding accountability.

“Hiding behind women’s skirts”

One unexpected figure has emerged as a vocal critic – Peter Madiar, former husband of Minister Varga.

His resignation from all government positions, citing a refusal to be part of a system where responsibility hides behind women’s skirts, has thrust him into the spotlight.

Despite being relatively unknown until his divorce was covered by the media in spring 2023, Madiar has become a hero of the anti-Orban movement.

Madiar’s revelations expose corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, wiretapping, mafia-like behavior, and clan loyalty within Orban’s regime.

As a corporate lawyer and diplomat from Hungarian elite circles, he provides an insider’s perspective, making his criticisms all the more impactful.

The complexity of the situation is heightened by Madiar’s friendship with Minister-Leader of the Prime Minister’s Office, Gergely Gulyas, and suspicions that his anti-Orban rhetoric may echo sentiments within the ruling team weary of Orban’s autocracy.

As Hungary grapples with the repercussions of this scandal, public anger intensifies following President Novak’s recent clemency decision.

Documented under case number Bfv.1191/2022/13, the decision to grant clemency to the co-defendant of the Bicske pedophile director raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to child protection and justice.

This clemency revelation, coupled with the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the co-defendant’s involvement in coercion, fuels public discontent.

The case of V. János, the director of the Bicske children’s home, found guilty of molesting at least ten underage boys, adds further weight to the gravity of the situation.

The liberal use of clemency powers by President Novak, approving 40 cases out of 446 convicted individuals last year, sets a record over the past 19 years.

The decision to grant clemency to 22 individuals on a single day, attributed to the occasion of a papal visit, further raises eyebrows.

The circumstances surrounding the clemency decision, intertwined with the concurrent appeal of the prison sentence, expose the complexity of the legal processes involved.

As Hungary awaits the fallout from this scandal, the impact on its political landscape remains uncertain.

Whether it will result in further resignations or repercussions for those implicated in the decision-making process is yet to be seen. One thing is clear – the seismic shockwaves from this scandal will reverberate throughout Hungarian politics for the foreseeable future.