BUDAPEST: The Hungarian parliament the day gone by elected Katalin Novak, an in depth best friend of Top Minister Viktor Orban, because the EU member’s first ever girl president. Novak, who maximum lately served as a minister for circle of relatives coverage, portrayed her election as a victory for girls. She was once elected to the most commonly ceremonial function by way of 137 votes to 51 within the parliament ruled by way of Orban’s right-wing Fidesz occasion forward of opposition challenger Peter Rona, an economist.

“We ladies rear youngsters, deal with the in poor health, prepare dinner, do the paintings of 2 other folks if wishes be, earn a living, educate, win Nobel prizes, blank home windows,” Novak stated in a speech earlier than the vote. “We all know the ability of phrases however can stay quiet and pay attention if we need to, and shield our households with a braveness past that of guys’s if risk threatens,” stated the 44-year-old, Hungary’s youngest ever head of state. “It’s because of being a lady and now not in spite of it that I need to be a excellent president of Hungary,” she stated. Previous she posted a photograph of her, her husband and her 3 youngsters on social media, pronouncing it “way so much to me that my circle of relatives is right here with me”.

LGBTQ controversy

Novak has been the face of presidency insurance policies together with beneficiant tax breaks and handouts designed to inspire younger households to have extra youngsters. The day prior to this’s vote comes weeks forward of a crunch parliamentary election on April 3, the place Orban faces a stiff struggle to win a fourth directly time period in energy since 2010. Peter Marki-Zay, who leads a six-party opposition hoping to unseat Orban subsequent month, accused Novak of being “not worthy” for the presidential place process because of her partisan background.

Critics of the socially conservative Novak have additionally blasted her championing of anti-LGBTQ insurance policies forward of a referendum about gender-change additionally to be hung on April 3. A legislation banning the “show or promotion” of homosexuality or gender substitute to minors took impact closing 12 months, sparking a well-liked outcry and threats of sanctions from Brussels. The federal government, together with Novak, has argued the legislation is wanted to give protection to youngsters, however critics say the legislation discriminates in opposition to the LGBTQ neighborhood and conflates paedophilia with homosexuality. Novak-a former vice-president of the ruling Fidesz-will be triumphant occasion co-founder Janos Ader, who has held the process since 2012. She’s going to take administrative center after Ader’s time period expires Might 10. – AFP