Hungary’s first female president, Katalin Novak, has resigned following widespread criticism that trailed her decision to pardon a man convicted of helping to cover up sexual abuse in a children’s home.

It was revealed last week that the 46-year-old president had given clemency to a man jailed for forcing children to retract sexual abuse claims against a director of a state-run children’s home.

The revelation caused a public uproar and demands from the opposition for her and former Justice Minister Judit Varga to quit. They both resigned on Saturday, February 10.