Hungary's parliament voted in favor of amendments that limit the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and dual citizens, prompting allegations of increasing illiberal governance.
Hungary's Parliament Passes Controversial Legislation Targeting Dual Nationals and LGBTQ+ Rights
Hungary's Parliament Passes Controversial Legislation Targeting Dual Nationals and LGBTQ+ Rights
The recent parliamentary vote in Hungary has sparked widespread protests against new laws that threaten both dual nationals' rights and LGBTQ+ liberties.
In a significant legislative move, Hungary's parliament approved a series of constitutional amendments that will restrict the rights of dual nationals and the LGBTQ+ community. The ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, advocated for these changes, arguing they are necessary to protect the physical and moral development of children. One of the key provisions allows the government to prohibit public gatherings organized by LGBTQ+ groups, stirring outrage among activists and leading to protests outside parliament.
Critics of the amendments see this as a pivotal moment in Hungary's drift towards a more authoritarian regime. During the parliamentary session, 140 members endorsed the amendments while only 21 opposed them. Orban, who has previously vowed to undertake a cleansing of dissenters from the political landscape, has now taken a concrete step towards reinforcing his party's grip on power.
In addition to limiting LGBTQ+ rights, the amendments also grant the government authority to suspend the citizenship of any dual nationals perceived as a threat to national security. This policy appears to be targeting figures who allegedly fund "bogus NGOs" and external media, with many interpreting it as an attempt to marginalize Hungarian-American philanthropist George Soros, a frequent target of Orban's rhetoric.
These legislative changes follow a recent law that banned LGBTQ+ pride marches under the justification that such events could harm children—an assertion that has drawn heavy criticism. Opposition lawmaker David Bedo indicated that the implications of the amendments go beyond just pride events, threatening any public assembly organized by opposition groups.
Government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs characterized the amendments as protective measures against ideological threats to children, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ events. Supporters of the ruling party are seen by many as promoting a conservative, Christian-based national identity. Meanwhile, the rising popularity of the opposition Tisza party, which advocates for improved European Union relations, presents a potential challenge to Orban's long-standing governance.
As Hungary braces for the upcoming parliamentary elections, the political landscape appears to be shifting, leading to concerns about the future of democracy and civil liberties in the country.
