Hungary's Parliament Enacts Controversial Amendments Targeting LGBTQ+ Rights and Dual Nationals

Hungary's parliament has approved significant constitutional amendments that restrict rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and dual nationals. The government claims the changes are intended to protect children's welfare, allowing it to ban public LGBTQ+ events. This legislative move has sparked widespread protests, drawing condemnation from rights advocates who view it as a troubling shift towards authoritarian governance. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party supported the amendments, citing national security concerns while critics speculate the political motivations behind these changes may target dissenting voices and philanthropic efforts from abroad.

Crowds gathered outside the parliament, striving to obstruct the legislative session as lawmakers voted 140 to 21 in favor of the proposals. Prime Minister Orban's earlier statements about an "Easter cleanup" of opposition critics have led many to regard this vote as part of a broader campaign against democratic values. The new laws allow for the suspension of citizenship for dual nationals deemed security threats and continue a series of legislation perceived to be targeting LGBTQ+ rights, following prior bans on pride marches under the guise of child protection.

Opposition figures, such as Momentum MP David Bedo, warn that these amendments threaten not only pride events but political assemblies overall, suggesting further restrictive measures are likely ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, government representatives assert these changes are necessary safeguards against ideologies they view as detrimental to children's well-being. With the rise of the new centre-right party Tisza, which advocates a friendlier relationship with the EU, the political landscape in Hungary is evolving amid ongoing debates over democratic principles and minority rights.