President Novák and Minister Varga Resign Over Pardon Scandal

On February 10, 2024, Hungarian President Katalin Novák resigned, stating 'I made a mistake when I signed the pardon.' Justice Minister Judit Varga — who had countersigned the pardon — also resigned the same day from all political positions and withdrew from leading Fidesz's EP election list. The scandal was the most severe blow to Fidesz since its 2010 return. Novák's ex-husband Péter Magyar, who had been quietly critical of the government, went public with viral interviews and became an overnight opposition figure.