Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

EU Intensifies Pressure on Hungary Over Budapest Pride Ban

Fourteen EU member states have urged the European Commission to deploy its rule-of-law measures after Hungary’s parliament outlawed LGBTQ+ events, and Brussels is withholding €18 billion as support for Article 7 proceedings grows.

A general view of the Hungarian parliament as it votes on a bill that would ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities and impose fines on organizers and people attending the event in Budapest, Hungary, March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Marton Monus/File Photo
Michael McGrath, the nominee to become the European Union's justice commissioner, faces a confirmation hearing before European Parliament committees, in Brussels, Belgium November 5, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo

Overview

  • Fourteen EU countries signed a joint statement calling on Brussels to use interim legal measures to force Hungary to reverse its ban on the annual Budapest Pride march.
  • Hungary’s Fidesz-led parliament passed legislation in March banning Pride events and authorizing facial recognition of attendees, then in April enshrined a two-sex definition in its constitution.
  • The European Commission has frozen €18 billion in cohesion funds over rule-of-law breaches but has so far declined to impose injunctions to compel Hungary to allow the Pride parade.
  • Diplomatic sources report that 19 member states now back opening Article 7 proceedings to strip Hungary of its European Council voting rights, three votes short of the threshold for a formal breach finding.
  • EU foreign ministers are set to review a draft declaration expressing “deep concern” over Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and press the Commission for swift enforcement actions.