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Katalin Novák
Katalin Novák, 2023 (cropped).jpg
Novák in 2023
President of Hungary
Assumed office
10 May 2022
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Preceded by János Áder
Minister for Family Affairs
In office
1 October 2020 – 31 December 2021
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Position abolished
Member of the National Assembly
In office
8 May 2018 – 1 May 2022
Personal details
Born
Katalin Éva Novák

(1977-09-06) 6 September 1977 (age 47)
Szeged, Hungary
Political party Fidesz
Spouse István Veres
Children 3
Education Corvinus University of Budapest (MSc)
University of Szeged (JD)

Katalin Éva Veresné Novák (born 6 September 1977) is a Hungarian politician who served as the president of Hungary, after being elected in the 2022 presidential election. Novák was the first woman to hold the presidency, as well as the youngest president in the history of Hungary, elected at the age of 44. A member of Fidesz, Novák has additionally served as member of the National Assembly from 2018 to 2022, and as Minister for Family Affairs in the fourth Orbán Government from 2020 until 2021.

Novák resigned on 10 February 2024. By law, Hungarian Parliament has to accept her resignation before it can come into effect. The institution of "provisional president" does not exist in the Hungarian law system. There is an interregnum until the inauguration of the next president. Until then, the President of the National Assembly (in this case László Kövér) performs the duties of the head of state.

Education

After completing her secondary education at the Ságvári Endre Secondary School at Szeged in 1996, Novák studied economics at the Corvinus University of Budapest and law at the University of Szeged. While a student, she additionally studied abroad at the Paris Nanterre University. In addition to Hungarian, Novák speaks French, English, German, and Spanish.

Career

20 06 2022 Cerimônia Oficial de chegada da Excelentíssima Senhora Katalin Novák, Presidente da Hungria (52209803049)
Novák with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Brasília, 20 June 2022

Novák started work at the Foreign Ministry in 2001, specializing in European Union and European matters. In 2010 she became a ministerial advisor and in 2012 was appointed Head of Cabinet of the Ministry of Human Resources.

In 2014 she became State Secretary for Family and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Human Capacities, eventually becoming Minister of Family Affairs in October 2020, a position held until December 2021.

She served as Vice President of Fidesz between 2017 and 2021.

On 21 December 2021, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that Novák would be his nominee in the 2022 presidential election. On 10 March 2022, she won gaining 137 out of 188 votes in the National Assembly. Novák is the first woman to hold the office of president in its history.

As President

Sergio Mattarella and Katalin Novák, 2023 (01)
Novák with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, 31 January 2023
Dimitar Kovačevski & Katalin Novák in Skopje 2023 (3)
Novák with Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski in Skopje, 6 February 2023
Isaac Herzog in Beit HaNassi, November 2023 (ABG 2175)
Novák with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, 5 November 2023

In April 2023, the National Assembly passed a bill enabling and encouraging citizens to report same-sex couples who raise children to the state authorities, such as police and child protection. Novák vetoed the bill, and formally prevented it from becoming enacted into law.

She has been criticised for being too lenient when granting presidential pardons. Since February 2, 2024 there have been protests demanding Novák's resignation. She resigned on 10 February 2024.

Personal life

Katalin Novák is married and has three children. Her husband is economist István Veres, director of the Financial Market and Foreign Exchange Market Directorate at the Hungarian National Bank (MNB). She is a Reformed Christian.

Honours and awards

Domestic

  • Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen Ribbon Bar.svg Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen (2022)
    According to the Constitution of Hungary's CCII/2011 law the president of Hungary receives the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen ex-officio.
  • HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civ) 1class Collar BAR.svg Grand Cross with Chain of the Hungarian Order of Merit (2022)
    According to the Constitution of Hungary's CCII/2011 law the president of Hungary receives the Grand Cross with Chain of the Hungarian Order of Merit ex-officio.

Foreign

Dynastic

  • Kingdom of the Two Sicilies House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies: Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I (2023)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Katalin Novák para niños

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