Hungary Gets A Woman as President for the First Time

Katalin Novak, 44, has been elected as the new president by the Hungarian parliament. As a result, Novak becomes the country’s first female president. She will officially take office on May 10 as head of state.

Novak is currently a parliamentarian and minister and deputy chairman of President Viktor Orban’s ruling conservative Fidesz party.

That party put her forward as a candidate to succeed Janos Ader. Novak received 137 votes in parliament. The opposition candidate, Peter Rona, got 51.

The president in Hungary has a primarily ceremonial role but can block or delay legislation with a veto or referral to the constitutional court.