Hungary’s parliament approved constitutional amendments on Monday that target the LGBTQ+ community and what the government calls “foreign-funded political pressure networks” that undermine national sovereignty.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has held power since 2010, is facing elections in 2026 amid economic strain and a rising new opposition party. These amendments are seen as part of his strategy to shore up support among his conservative base and appeal to far-right voters.
The amendments passed easily, thanks to the ruling Fidesz party’s two-thirds majority and the support of far-right MPs. They prioritise the “physical and moral development of children” above other rights and constitutionally define gender strictly as male or female.
“The constitutional amendment is now law,” Orbán wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We are protecting children’s development, affirming that a person is born male or female, and standing firm against drugs and foreign interference. In Hungary, common sense matters.”
The new constitutional article supports a law passed on 18 March that bans the annual Pride parade. The government argues that such events may be harmful to children.
Another amendment allows for the suspension of Hungarian citizenship for dual nationals who also hold citizenship from a non-EU country. The government claims this is to combat foreign interference that threatens Hungary’s democracy and sovereignty.
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