Meeting in plenary session on Wednesday 2 April, MEPs debated recent developments in Hungary concerning fundamental rights. Above all, the bill passed by the Hungarian Parliament on 18 March, which makes it illegal to organise or take part in the Gay Pride march, has crystallised the debate. The authorities will now be able to impose fines on organisers and participants. This ban stems from the “child protection” law adopted in 2021, which is currently being challenged by the Commission before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, Michael McGrath, said the legislation was a “serious attack on the freedom of peaceful assembly” and came at a time when hatred against LGBTQI people was “on the rise around the world”.
He recalled that “the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights” and assured that the Commission would pursue its infringement proceedings against Hungary.
The Polish Minister for European Affairs, Adam Szłapka, who represented the EU Council Presidency, pointed out that the issue of the Rule of law in Hungary would be on the agenda twice at the General Affairs Council. He stressed that “respect for fundamental rights and freedoms goes hand in hand with a feeling of security”.
The reactions in the Chamber illustrated a deep political rift.
Left and centre, the Renew Europe, S&D, Greens/EFA and The Left Groups condemned the law. Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, Dutch) denounced a “new chapter in Putin’s handbook”, saying that Viktor Orbán was “turning Hungary into an authoritarian police State”. Fabienne Keller (Renew Europe, French) called on the Commission to “suspend Hungary’s voting rights in the EU Council” and announced her participation in the Budapest Pride on 28 June, as did Marc Angel (S&D, Luxembourgish), Chloé Ridel (S&D, French), Mélissa Camara (Greens/EFA, French) and Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew Europe, Spanish).
Csaba Molnár (S&D, Hungarian) condemned “crass homophobia” and a “coalition of shame” bringing together the Hungarian right, including the Tisza party (Respect and Freedom Party, centre-right), which has remained silent on the issue. Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D, Polish) questioned the leader of this party and former Fidesz member, Péter Magyar.
A number of right-wing and far-right MEPs denounced a “futile debate” and interference in the sovereignty of Member States. Tamás Deutsch (PfE, Hungarian) said that “democracy and the Rule of law are alive and well in Hungary” and that the new law aims to “protect children”. Paolo Borchia (PfE, Italian) opposed “a Union that does not support a people voting with its own mind”.
While the Article 7 procedure against Hungary remains at a standstill, some MEPs have backed tougher sanctions, such as the suspension of voting rights. For Sigrid Friis (Renew Europe, Danish), “equality is not negotiable” and “Europe cannot look the other way”. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)