HUNGARY, Feb 11: Hungarian President Katalin Novak has announced her resignation from office, following mounting public criticism over her decision to grant a pardon to a man implicated in a child sexual abuse case.

In a nationally televised address on Saturday, President Novak stated, "I decided to grant a pardon last April, believing that the convict did not exploit the vulnerability of the children whom he had overseen." She acknowledged her mistake, admitting that the lack of reasoning behind the pardon had raised doubts about the zero-tolerance policy towards pedophilia.

The announcement comes amidst widespread protests in Budapest, with thousands of demonstrators demanding Novak's resignation. The controversy stems from her decision in April 2023 to pardon numerous individuals ahead of a visit by Pope Francis, including the deputy director of a children's home who had aided the former director in concealing his crimes. The former director had been convicted of sexually abusing minors between 2004 and 2016.

Novak, a close ally of Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had faced calls for resignation from opposition parties. Her tenure as president, which began in 2022, has now come to an abrupt end less than two years into her term.

During her final address as president, Novak issued an apology to the victims and their families, expressing regret for her actions. She emphasized her unwavering commitment to advocating for the protection of children and families throughout her career.

Novak's resignation marks a significant development in Hungarian politics, leaving the country to navigate the aftermath of the controversy surrounding her decision in the child abuse case.