Hungarian president quits after plagiarism row

Hungary's President Pal Schmitt resigned on Monday after a plagiarism scandal, eliminating a potential distraction to his allies in the government as they try to win funding from international lenders.

An opposition party had considered trying to impeach him as he could only be removed from the largely ceremonial post by a two thirds majority in parliament, which the ruling Fidesz party holds. Hundreds of protesters had also called for him to quit.

Analysts had said the row could have become increasingly unpleasant for the government as it tries to resolve a lengthy dispute with the European Union that has held up funding from the bloc for central Europe's most indebted country.

The two-time Olympic gold medal-winning fencer had an instrumental role in pushing the agenda of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government, signing controversial reforms, such as retroactive taxes, into law.

After saying last week he would not quit after a university panel stripped him of his sports doctorate, Schmitt announced he would resign on Monday, becoming the first president in Hungary's post-communist history to quit the post.

"When my personal issue divides my beloved nation rather than unites it, it is my duty to end my service and resign my mandate as president," Schmitt told parliament.

Lawmakers later voted overwhelmingly to rubber-stamp his departure less than two years into his term.

Schmitt was stripped of his sports doctorate after the university found he had copied chunks of his thesis without proper acknowledgement, a charge he denies.

"He should have made this decision long ago," Adam Ver a 32-year-old academic said, walking outside the parliament building. "It looks like this is not a country without consequences after all, so I can only welcome the decision."