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 Pal Schmitt of Hungary resigned Monday because of a plagiarism scandal regarding a doctoral dissertation he had written 20 years ago, Washington Post reported.

Schmitt, who was elected to his largely ceremonial office in 2010 for a five-year term, said in a speech to Parliament’s plenary session that he is stepping down because the controversy is dividing Hungary.

“In this situation, when my personal issue divides my beloved nation instead of uniting it, I feel it to be my personal duty to finish my service and resign from my presidential mandate,” Schmitt said, drawing applause and cheers from opposition lawmakers. “I ask God’s blessing for Hungary and for your work.”

Schmitt, 69, then quickly left the chamber accompanied by Prime Minister Viktor Orban as lawmakers from the governing parties — Orban’s Fidesz and the Christian Democrats — gave him a standing ovation.

The resignation comes at a turbulent time in Hungarian politics.