Katalin Novak elected first female president of Hungary

The 199-member national assembly of Hungary today elected Katalin Novak as president over her closest rival Peter Rona, making Novak the country’s first female president.

Novak received 137 of the 199 votes with Rona receiving 51 votes. The election comes as neighboring Russia and Ukraine are locked in a catastrophic war with millions fleeing to safety.

Novak, who took her oath of office immediately following the vote, will succeed Janos Ader, a co-founder of Orban’s governing right-wing Fidesz party who has held the job since 2012. She will take office after Ader’s term expires May 10.

With allegations of racism at the Polish border, most African students formerly studying in Ukraine have made the dash to safety to Hungary where reports indicate that the host country has been hospitable.

Novak, who most recently served as a minister for family policy, portrayed her election on Thursday as a victory for women.

“We women rear children, care for the ill, cook, are in two places at the same time if needs be, earn money, teach, win Nobel prizes, clean windows,” Novak said in a speech before the vote.

“We know the power of words but can keep quiet and listen if we have to, and defend our families with a courage beyond that of men’s if danger threatens,” said the 44-year-old, Hungary’s youngest-ever head of state.

“It is because I am a woman, and not despite of it, that I want to be a good president of Hungary,” she said.

Earlier, she posted a photo of herself, her husband and her three children on social media, saying it “means a lot to me that my family is here with me”.

Novak has been the face of government policies including generous tax breaks and handouts designed to encourage young families to have more children.

 

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