President Novák Believes Hungary Has Become an Example to Follow

If we do not have more children, we will give up on our future and the survival of Hungary, President of the Republic Katalin Novák stressed in an interview with Mandiner newspaper.

On the occasion of the V. Budapest Demographic Summit that began on Thursday, the newspaper also addressed the declining Hungarian population. In response to the question, President Novák said that not only are there fewer children born every year than people die, but there are also twenty percent fewer women of childbearing age than two decades ago. She recalled that the Pope also sees it as a worrying phenomenon of modern times that while in the old days a family had five or six children, today having two children is considered a good number.

Novák also noted that

the state can help reduce the financial barriers to starting a family and ensure that those who have children are not disadvantaged compared to those who did not want to start a family.

She believes that this help is welcomed by the majority and that Hungary has now become an example for many to follow.

Recalling the papal visit that took place this April, Novák said that Pope Francis has a high regard for Hungarians and appreciates their commitment to Christianity. She recalled that it was unprecedented that the Pope had visited the same country twice in a short period of time.

At the Eucharistic Congress in 2021, and during his three-day apostolic visit this April, Pope Francis’ presence had such an appeal that it reached the hearts of even those who are not practicing believers,

she emphasized.

Asked about her political activities, she said that the primary goal of foreign policy is to promote Hungarian interests, and a diplomatically active president can help in this. “It is in our common interest that our allies understand us and we understand them,” she stressed.

Via Mandiner, Featured Images: Facebook/Novák Katalin, MTI