In brief
The Hungarian parliament voted 79‑to‑10 to repeal a 2021 child‑protection law targeting LGBT people, a move welcomed by rights activists but criticised by opposition. The change occurs after the EU freed €4.2 billion that had been frozen during the Fidesz era. Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s Tisza party now seeks to undo legacy restrictions while maintaining its right‑wing base. Rights groups push for further reforms, including same‑sex marriage and transgender name‑change rights. The vote highlights Hungary’s struggle to balance conservative values with EU human‑rights commitments.
Hungarian Parliament wipes out anti‑LGBTQ child‑protection law
In a 79‑to‑10 vote on Tuesday, Hungary’s new ruling coalition repealed a 2021 law that criminalised the “promotional” portrayal of homosexuality or transgender identity in media and schooling.
The legislation, introduced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, was part of an agenda positioning LGBT people as a threat to family values and was frequently cited by the government to defend broader restrictions on civil society.
The change comes as Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s Tisza party seeks to reverse several legacy measures from the Fidesz era while maintaining its own right‑wing base, and follows an EU decision that will free €4.2 billion that had been frozen during the previous years.
Human‑rights groups welcomed the amendment but warned that it is only the first step; they call for the restoration of same‑sex marriage rights, adoption rights for same‑sex couples and the right of transgender people to change their name on official documents.
Opposition lawmakers from Fidesz and the Christian Democrats criticised the move, arguing that “LGBT content cannot be promoted in schools or the media.” Their stance reflects a broader debate about the place of LGBT issues in Hungary’s public policy.
The vote is part of a wider trend of European democracies balancing social conservatism with EU obligations on human rights, as the European Commission not only released frozen funds but also urged Hungary to re‑entroll in Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.
Whether the ruling government can satisfy both conservative voters and liberal allies remains to be seen, but the repeal marks a significant shift from the Orbán years and signals a possible opening for more inclusive legislation.
