Hungary: Viktor Orban calls referendum on controversial anti-LGBTQ law

Published on : 07/21/2021 – 11:35

Viktor Orbán announced on Wednesday July 21 that a referendum would be held in Hungary and asked for voters’ support for the anti-LGBTQ law after the European Commission had launched an infringement procedure against Budapest.

“Brussels has clearly attacked Hungary in recent weeks regarding the law” which prohibits the “promotion” of homosexuality among minors, said the sovereignist Prime Minister in a video posted on his Facebook page.

>> Read also: LGBT rights in Hungary, what can Europe do to oppose Viktor Orbán?

Hungary passed a law on June 15 banning the “representation or promotion” of homosexuality and gender reassignment among minors. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen had called the law “shameful”, but the Hungarian government rejected the criticisms and demands of the European executive.

The European Commission launched infringement proceedings against Hungary on July 15 over its controversial law. The European executive, which denounces the discriminatory nature of these measures against LGBT + people, explained that it had sent the country a letter of formal notice. This is the first step in a procedure which can lead to referral to the Court of Justice of the EU and then to financial sanctions.

With AFP