Hungary’s political landscape changed radically with the adoption of a controversial constitutional amendment in April 2023. This law strengthens children’s rights, including their rights to a moral, physical, and spiritual development. It puts these rights over other rights, including the right to peacefully protest. Thus, the law prohibits any and all depiction or promotion of homosexuality to minors under 18 years old. This has raised grave concerns about the future of Pride events across the country.
The new law increases penalties to $1000 in fines for anyone who either organizes or attends any sort of Pride event. Additionally, it gives public agencies the authority to use facial recognition technology to identify people committing these acts. The repercussions of this law have already elicited fierce backlash from all sides, most notably by fellow member states of the European Union. At least 20 out of the EU’s 27 nations, including major players like France, Germany, and Spain, have expressed their concerns regarding Hungary’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
In the aftermath of these accusations, János Bóka, Hungary’s EU affairs minister, defended the legislation but made clear that the government has no plans to stop Pride events entirely.
“There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,” – János Bóka
For now, Bóka is hopeful about the productive conversations that are taking place. He thinks they’ll both assist his European colleagues in better understanding the implications of Hungary’s legislation.
“I hope that after these discussions my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation,” – János Bóka
The context to Hungary’s latest move is its deepening isolation from the European Union’s basic tenets and norms. The country has come under fire for its years long repression of independent media and non governmental organizations. How badly it can go is on display with Hungary’s behavior during the Russia-Ukraine war. The country had already repeatedly pushed back multibillion-euro aid packages to Kyiv and delayed sanctions against Moscow.
Hungary’s crushing economic realities make the situation all the more problematic for the Viktor Orban government’s EU relationship. The nation recently recorded a dip in its gross domestic product (GDP), falling back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025. Soaring inflation has deepened the crisis, which has lasted for more than two years, in part because of the EU funds frozen. The European Commission has threatened to revoke access to some 18 billion euros, or 20 billion dollars, in assistance. This move has been spurred by Hungary’s ongoing breaches of rule-of-law norms.
In Ireland, Michael McGrath, a senior official from the European Commission, raised alarm bells about Hungary’s adherence to EU law. He promised that a full-blown chicken little analysis would be forthcoming on the actual legislation by the end of the week.
“We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,” – Michael McGrath
McGrath further referred to the EU’s preparedness to use all available instruments in reaction to Hungary’s unprecedented behavior.
“We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal,” – Michael McGrath
He made sure to underline the cost to Hungary. He added that access to these large amounts of money is still limited due to the continued violation of rule-of-law principles.
“At this point in time, about 18 billion euros ($20 billion) is not available to Hungary. That’s because of their own rule of law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,” – Michael McGrath
The story is still playing out, as Hungary charts its course internally while still being pushed externally by the EU. The intersection of human rights issues and economic stability is an ongoing and contentious issue, with a variety of stakeholders watching the situation closely.
