Hungary: more resignations in pardon scandal
The scandal sparked by a pardon in an abuse case continues to make waves in Hungary following the resignation of President Katalin Novák and the political withdrawal of former Justice Minister Judit Varga. Varga's ex-husband, Péter Magyar, has levelled accusations of corruption against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's system and resigned from his management positions in various companies. Hard talk in the commentaries.
Tell the truth as a last service to the country
The case is not yet closed, writes women's rights activist Rita Antoni on 24.hu:
“Katalin Novák and Judit Varga still have the chance to avoid going down in history as the shameless friends of paedophile accomplices and to save what remains of their honour. How? Quite simply: they should talk! Tell us what exactly happened, who 'suggested' to you that you grant or sign this pardon, and how. If you fall, you should take all those responsible down with you. In this way, you could compensate for your complicity to some extent and do your country a final service.”
No reform possible from within
The Romanian service of Deutsche Welle comments on the accusations by Péter Magyar, banker and ex-husband of former Justice Minister Judit Varga, that the Orban system is corrupt:
“Most of Magyar's allegations are neither new nor entirely unknown. What is new is that they come from the mouth of an insider who claims that he has been internally critical of the situation in Hungary for years and is no longer willing to remain silent. ... It's hard to believe that Peter Magyar's claims could actually jeopardise Orbán's regime. The prime minister will probably make personnel changes to whitewash the situation. But Magyar's words show something else: that the Orbán system devours its own children from time to time. And that this system cannot be reformed from within.”
Heart-stricken
The pro-government journalist Zsolt Bayer praises the two politicians in Magyar Nemzet:
“Katalin Novák and Judit Varga made a mistake. Perhaps they weren't prudent enough, perhaps they were misled (if so, I hope the main culprit will be on the run for the rest of his life). ... But that's beside the point now (and only now!). What matters is that Katalin Novák and Judit Varga did what they thought was right. They did what they had to do as moral beings. They also felt that the case had hit our political community right in the heart and that this was the only way to remove the poison.”
Something broken within Fidesz
The two personalities bring serious conflicts to light, Magyar Hang writes:
“The damage is being repaired at full speed and the power apparatus is quickly moving beyond Katalin Novák (and Judit Varga). ... However it looks as if those in power have more loose ends to tie up than they had planned. ... It is now undeniable that savage feuds and personal battles are straining the Fidesz power bloc from within. Péter Magyar, who is pushing for change in the country, has launched a frontal attack against Antal Rogán, Orbán's cabinet minister who is barely visible to the public but holds government communications and secret services in his hands. ... The offensive is aimed at the heart of Fidesz policies, the enormous concentration of power and wealth.”