Hungary’s ruling political party has suggested amendments to the constitution that could potentially prohibit an annual march celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and allow for the expulsion of citizens with dual citizenship if they are perceived as a threat to the nation’s sovereignty.
Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has consistently criticized LGBTQ+ individuals and has committed to intensifying restrictions on foreign financing for independent media and non-governmental organizations in Hungary in recent weeks, particularly following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Trump’s actions have led to speculation that Orban would feel empowered to impose tighter regulations on media regarded as unsupportive.
“The network of corruption that dominates the entire Western political and media landscape must be dismantled,” Orban declared to parliament on February 24, asserting that his government would “go to great lengths” with the new legislation.
The governing Fidesz party presented its proposed constitutional amendments late on Tuesday.
The proposed changes would include an addition to the constitution prioritizing the protection of children’s physical, mental, and moral well-being above all other rights.
This new law might set the stage for prohibiting the annual Pride March by LGBTQ+ communities since it could be seen as detrimental to children, thus justifying the assertion that protecting their development is more important than the right to assemble.
Orban’s administration is focusing on the Pride March in advance of next year’s elections.
Another proposed amendment indicates that Hungarian citizens who also possess citizenship from another nation can be expelled “if their actions threaten Hungary’s national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity, or security.”
The changes would also formally declare that Hungary recognizes only two genders, male and female, a stance that Trump has similarly endorsed.
Moreover, the proposed changes will guarantee the right to cash payments within the constitution, an idea supported by Hungary’s far-right due to general mistrust in banks, according to draft legislation available on the parliament’s website.
See More: Trump metal tariffs kick in as global trade war looms
Orban, who has been in power since 2010, is preparing for elections in 2026 as the economy starts to overcome a crisis of inflation, while a rising new opposition party presents the most significant challenge to his leadership so far.
