Katalin Novak elected Hungary’s 1st female president

BELGRADE, Serbia

The Hungarian parliament on Thursday elected Katalin Novak the country’s first woman president.

A close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, she was elected to the mostly ceremonial role by 137 votes to 51 in the parliament dominated by Orban’s right-wing Fidesz party.

Novak, 44, Hungary’s youngest-ever head of state, most recently served as a minister for a family policy.

“Nothing is worse than a war, Hungarians want peace ... We will not allow Russian roulette to be played with the country ... I also wish to stand for peace as president,” Novak said at a ceremony at the parliament, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war.

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

Novak portrays her election as a victory for women.