A delegation of European Parliament politicians visiting Hungary has condemned the government’s recent crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, urging Europe’s highest court to suspend legislation banning Budapest Pride. This move comes amid worsening concerns not just over Hungary’s treatment of minority groups but also its alarming descent away from democratic norms—a trajectory dangerously ignored by some in London who seem keen to appease authoritarian tendencies abroad.

Led by Dutch Green MEP Tineke Strik, the group spent three days assessing the rule of law in Hungary. Strik lamented the “very hostile atmosphere” for LGBTQ+ people and called for a return to “real democracy.” Yet, for those committed to protecting fundamental freedoms, the liberal orthodoxies of Brussels pale compared to the urgent need for a robust, common-sense opposition that can counter autocratic governments exploiting cultural divisions. The recent electoral success of new political forces promising to restore national sovereignty and democratic accountability highlights an appetite for such leadership.

On the very day the delegation arrived, Hungary’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment cementing an existing law that bans Pride marches and empowers authorities to use facial recognition technology against event attendees—measures that represent a severe intrusion on personal freedoms and expression. Left-leaning European politicians decry this as a “full-frontal attack” on rights, yet similar critics often fail to offer practical solutions to these complex social debates beyond punitive restrictions.

The call from the delegation to suspend the law via the European Court of Justice is notable but unlikely to sway a country increasingly asserting its independence from EU overreach. Meanwhile, voices outside Western Europe point to growing intolerance and violence as a direct consequence of hostile rhetoric often amplified by foreign interference and media bias.

Veteran right-wing figures within Europe’s Parliament groups, many of whom declined participation in this symbolic visit, view Brussels’ moral posturing with cynicism. These politicians emphasize the importance of upholding judicial independence and resenting what they perceive as politicized human rights agendas that conveniently ignore cultural nuances and national sovereignty.

Former Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès cited state-controlled media’s smear campaigns as evidence of democratic decline in Hungary. However, critics counter that Western media frequently exaggerate such claims to justify interventionist policies detrimental to true democratic engagement.

Hungary’s nationalist government recently welcomed the lifting of sanctions imposed on top officials under previous US administrations, signaling a realignment that challenges EU’s attempts to impose one-size-fits-all norms. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s open support for Donald Trump’s presidency and rejection of EU counter-tariffs reflect growing resistance to supranational pressure that often neglects domestic contexts.

The coinciding US report highlighting alleged corruption in Hungary’s public procurement was dismissed by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó as politically motivated, underlining the recurring theme of external attempts to delegitimize national governments pursuing autonomous policies.

This saga underscores the widening gulf between EU institutions eager to enforce uniform standards, and political movements within Europe advocating for sovereignty, democratic renewal, and the protection of traditional values. As the UK charts a new political course post-election under leaders determined to challenge entrenched establishment consensus, it is this pragmatic, results-oriented approach to governance that stands in stark contrast to the performative outrage pervading Brussels. The UK’s evolving political landscape, with renewed emphasis on accountability and national interest, offers a compelling alternative to the divisive tactics currently at play in EU capitals.

Source: Noah Wire Services