A delegation of European Union lawmakers has called on the EU’s highest court to suspend a recently enacted Hungarian law banning Budapest Pride, amid concerns over escalating hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals and deteriorating democratic standards in Hungary. The three-day visit by the cross-party group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) concluded on Wednesday with urgent calls for the Hungarian government to restore democratic norms and respect fundamental rights.
The group was led by Tineke Strik, a Dutch Green politician actively involved in monitoring democratic practices within member states. Speaking at the conclusion of their visit, Strik emphasised the swift negative direction Hungary’s political climate had taken, stating: “We eagerly want this country to turn back into a real democracy, because we think that Hungarian citizens should enjoy the same rights and values as we all do into the EU.” The delegation expressed concern about the constitutional amendment passed by Hungary’s lawmakers on the day of their arrival, which formally allows the government to prohibit LGBTQ+ events such as Pride marches. This measure consolidates an earlier legislation from March that not only banned such events but also authorised the use of facial recognition technology to identify and fine participants.
“The organisers and participants of the Budapest Pride risk facing criminal charges for marching peacefully in support of diversity, equality and freedom, as they have done for the last 29 years,” Strik highlighted, underscoring the scale of the crackdown on Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community. The MEPs have urged the European Commission, responsible for upholding EU law, to seek an immediate suspension of the law through an interim measure at the European Court of Justice, pending ongoing legal proceedings. The European Commission responded to the constitutional changes by signalling that it would not hesitate to intervene if deemed necessary.
Among the delegation was Krzysztof Śmiszek of the Polish New Left, who detailed the increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary, linking the new law to a rise in physical attacks and hate crimes. Michał Wawrykiewicz, a centre-right Polish MEP known for his advocacy for judicial independence in Poland, reported witnessing a clear decline in the rule of law during their visit. He additionally commented on some Hungarian officials’ antagonistic treatment of the delegation, describing “very aggressive” and “rude behaviour”.
Sophie Wilmès, a liberal MEP and former Belgian prime minister, further remarked on the Hungarian authorities’ harsh rhetoric towards the group and expressed alarm over government pressure on independent media organisations. She emphasised that “smear campaigns have become the new norm” due to the Hungarian government's extensive control over the media landscape. The delegation encountered resistance from several government departments which declined to meet them without offering explanations. Moreover, three nationalist and far-right political groups within the European Parliament – the European Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe, and the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group – opted out of participating in the parliamentary visit.
The MEPs' visit coincided with an announcement from the United States government lifting sanctions imposed on Antal Rogán, a close associate of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Rogán had been sanctioned in January during the final days of Joe Biden’s administration over allegations of corruption, but the move was described by the US administration as “inconsistent with US foreign policy interests” following a change in leadership. During his tenure, Prime Minister Orbán has been a prominent supporter of former US President Donald Trump, reportedly indicating his enthusiasm for a Trump re-election. Notably, Hungary was the only EU member state to oppose the bloc’s retaliatory measures against Trump’s tariffs, which were ultimately suspended after a last-minute policy reversal in Washington.
In a related development, the Trump administration released a report on foreign trade barriers, raising concerns about corruption within Hungary’s public procurement system. Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, dismissed parts of the report as having been influenced by the previous US ambassador to Budapest, David Pressman, who was openly critical of the Orbán government’s democratic backsliding and foreign policy direction.
The Guardian is reporting that these recent actions have compounded tensions between Hungary and other EU institutions, as well as international partners, with the country’s political trajectory drawing increasing scrutiny over democratic governance and human rights concerns.
Source: Noah Wire Services