EU keeps an eye on Hungary’s LGBTQ law before taking legal action

The EU Commission will monitor the constitutional amendment in Hungary and closely analyze the changes that arise from the amendment.

This was stated by a spokesperson for the Commission on Tuesday at a press conference.

“At the moment, we need to analyze the changes because they cover many topics, and we must look at them with great care and from a European legislative perspective,” said the spokesperson.

According to the spokesperson, the EU is not afraid to act if the assessment indicates that the constitutional amendment is against EU law.

“We do not hesitate to act if necessary. I cannot give you a timeline at the moment, but there have been similar violations from Hungary regarding the situation of LGBTQ+ individuals in Hungary,” she said.

On Monday, a majority in Hungary’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment that implies that public LGBTQ+ events may be banned and that there are only two genders: male and female.

Human rights organizations have urged the EU Commission to intervene. The argument is that the constitutional amendment is against EU laws protecting minorities.

However, according to the spokesperson from the Commission, one must first understand how the change in legislation will affect Hungarians.

“Then we will see where we stand when we have done that,” she said.

Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, states that the protection of children is the basis for the constitutional amendment.

This would not be the first time the EU takes Hungary to court for LGBTQ+-violating legislation.

In November 2024, a Hungarian pedophilia law was brought before the EU Court.

The law concerned a zero-tolerance policy towards pedophiles. At the same time, the law prohibited content about homosexuality and gender transition in media content and educational materials for children under 18 years old.

The criticism was that the law equates pedophilia with homosexuality.

So far, the EU Commission has proposed freezing EU funds to Hungary because the country does not comply with EU rules. It is still unclear when the court will rule on the case.