Hungarian lawmakers have largely supported constitutional amendments aimed at the LGBTQ community and dual nationals, marking another move to bolster Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s self-proclaimed “illiberal” model of democracy.
Since regaining power in 2010, Hungary’s leader has imposed significant restrictions on the rights of the LGBTQ community, as well as on the media, judiciary, and academia.
In mid-March, he pledged to conduct an “Easter cleanup” targeting domestic adversaries, whom he has branded “stink bugs”.
The constitutional amendment – asserting that individuals can only be recognized as male or female – mirrors similar gender policies championed by Mr. Orban’s ally, former US President Donald Trump.
Before the vote on the amendment – which was approved by parliament with 140 votes in favor and 21 against – several protesters briefly blocked an entrance to the parliament until police intervened.
“When we chained ourselves during the first overhaul of the constitution in 2011, we never thought that 14 years later, we would be forced to do the same,” remarked opposition lawmaker Timea Szabo.
Members of the liberal Momentum party displayed a banner in protest within parliament, while hundreds of demonstrators outside the building shouted, “We will not allow ourselves to be transformed into Putin’s Russia”.
Ruby, a 19-year-old transgender woman who asked not to be named, told AFP that she participated in the rally to oppose a government that aims “to eliminate transgender individuals” and “conceal what they dislike, just like in Russia”.
The opposition Momentum party showcased a banner within the parliament
Array of changes
In addition to the provision stating that individuals can only be recognized as either male or female, another amendment asserts that children’s rights to “proper physical, mental and moral development take precedence over all other fundamental rights,” with the exception of the right to life.
This clause is perceived as a means to fortify the legal basis for banning Pride marches.
Another significant provision allows the government to temporarily revoke Hungarian citizenship from dual or multiple nationals, even if they acquired such nationalities by birth.
The ruling party claims this initiative targets “speculators” funding “phony NGOs, corrupt politicians, and the so-called independent media” from abroad.
A related legislative proposal, which will be voted on at a later date, states that Hungarian citizenship may be suspended for a maximum of ten years, with the possibility of expulsion from the country for those affected.
Nationals from other EU member nations would be exempt, along with citizens from a few other European countries, according to the proposal.
Last week, over 30 prominent Hungarian legal experts condemned the measure as “an unprecedented construction in international law” that could conflict with binding human rights conventions.
‘Soft Putinism’
Critics argue that these proposed legal changes further undermine democratic rights in the Central European nation, steering the EU member closer to the authoritarianism characteristic of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
“This could be described as soft Putinism,” stated Szabolcs Pek, chief analyst at the think tank Iranytu Intezet.
“While people aren’t exactly falling out of windows, the government increasingly restricts the space for opposition politicians, journalists, and civil society,” he added.
Politically, these measures are viewed as efforts to bolster diminishing support for the ruling coalition, fragment the opposition along ideological lines, and appeal to the far-right ahead of next spring’s parliamentary elections.
Mr. Orban’s legislative “boisterousness” is an attempt to regain control of the public agenda, according to Mr. Pek.
“In this regard, he has succeeded, as public discourse is no longer focused on failing public services or the weak economy,” Mr. Pek explained.
Since last year, Mr. Orban has encountered an unprecedented challenge from Peter Magyar, a former government insider turned opposition leader, whose TISZA party has been diminishing Fidesz’s once-solid lead, as reflected in opinion polls.
Mr. Pek emphasized that the Pride ban represents a “trap” for Mr. Magyar: advocating for LGBTQ rights could alienate conservative voters, while his current silence may drive left-leaning and liberal constituents to other opposition parties.
