Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán today announced a referendum over an anti-LGBTQ+ law that the EU says breaches fundamental rights, upping the ante in his fight with Brussels.
The European Commission last week launched two infringement procedures against the Hungarian law, which censors the portrayal of lesbian, gay and trans people on TV and in schools. The leaders of 17 of the EU’s biggest countries also slammed the Hungarian law in a joint letter, arguing it undermined fundamental rights.
Budapest argues the law is meant to protect minors. But its provisions would not only affect sex education, but specifically single out minorities. Il could stop films such as Harry Potter from being broadcast at daytime, according to Hungarian private broadcaster RTL Klub.
“This legislation uses the protection of children as an excuse to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation,†European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last week, calling it “a disgraceâ€.
Orbán today said the referendum would ask five questions, such as whether Hungarians “support that media programmes which influence children’s development shall be aired without restrictions†or whether they are in favor of including “different sexual orientations†in sexual education material “without parental consentâ€.
