Hungary is turning a new page on civil rights, aiming to move past years of conflict with Brussels. The Budapest Parliament has approved the removal of certain anti-LGBTQ+ measures introduced under Viktor Orbán's government, marking a significant shift in the new political era led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
The reform passed with 139 votes in favor and 51 against, addressing the controversial 2021 law that, under the guise of child protection, imposed severe restrictions on the representation of homosexuality and gender identities. This legal framework had sparked international protests and heightened tensions between Budapest and European institutions.
The vote is one of the first major initiatives by the new administration in the realm of individual freedoms. Magyar, who took office last May following Orbán's electoral defeat, is striving to steer Hungarian politics in a different direction, focusing on restoring international credibility and rebuilding relations with the European Union.
The legislation enacted five years ago had become one of the most debated measures of the Orbán era. The restrictions, justified by the previous government as necessary for child protection, were deemed discriminatory by civil rights organizations and contested at the community level. The new parliamentary action modifies some of those provisions, though it does not necessarily eliminate all restrictive measures adopted in previous years.
This shift on rights coincides with another development poised to have tangible effects on the Hungarian economy. On the same day, the Council of the European Union authorized the release of €4.2 billion in cohesion funds that had been frozen due to rule of law violations attributed to the previous administration.
The funds were suspended in December 2022 under the European conditionality mechanism, which allows for limiting access to community funding when certain institutional deficiencies threaten the proper management of the Union's budget.
Brussels' decision follows months of dialogue with the Magyar government and reflects a favorable assessment of the reforms initiated by the new administration. It is not an automatic result of the vote on LGBTQ+ laws but is linked to a broader process of reviewing Hungarian institutional policies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the news with satisfaction, calling it the start of a new chapter for Hungary and the entire Union.
The thaw between Budapest and Brussels also extends to the academic world. With the lifting of European restrictions, Hungarian universities can once again fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ program, reopening international mobility possibilities for students and academic staff.
This outcome was highlighted by European Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath, who acknowledged the progress made by the Hungarian government in strengthening the rule of law and revising decisions made by the previous administration.
According to McGrath, the collaboration between Budapest authorities and community institutions has achieved significant results in a relatively short time. However, the commissioner reminded that the reform process is not yet complete and further actions will be necessary to ensure full compliance with European democratic standards.
The issue of the procedure initiated in 2018 by the European Parliament against Hungary for the risk of violating the Union's fundamental values remains open. The release of funds does not automatically close this procedure, which follows different institutional rules and competencies.
For the Magyar government, the day holds a dual significance. Domestically, the parliamentary vote signals a change from one of the most controversial policies of the Orbán administration. Internationally, the recovery of European funds and the resumption of academic cooperation demonstrate an improvement in relations with Brussels.
The new prime minister now faces the challenge of consolidating these achievements and proving that the announced discontinuity after the elections can translate into lasting transformation of national institutions and legislation.
For the European Union, Hungary's change opens the prospect of less contentious relations with a country that has been at the center of heated debates over judicial independence, fundamental freedoms, and adherence to community rules for years.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved