Hungarian anti-LGBTQ+ measures 'breach of EU law', says McGrath
The European Commission has serious concerns about the rule of law situation in Hungary, EU Commissioner for Democracy Michael McGrath said in Brussels, ahead of a meeting with European foreign affairs ministers.
Referring to a Hungarian draft law that would ban the Pride march by LGBTQ+ communities, Mr McGrath said: "We believe it is a breach of EU law... And we have asked the Hungarian government to withdraw that draft law.
"And in the absence of that happening, and should they proceed to legislate and enact this legislation, we stand ready to use the tools at our disposal."
A majority of EU countries, including Ireland, France and Germany, have called on Brussels to take action against Hungary unless it rows back on anti-LGBTQ+ measures aimed at banning Pride events.
17 of the bloc's 27 members signed a letter expressing alarm at the recent legal steps that "run contrary" to the European Union's fundamental values.
"We therefore call upon Hungary to revise these measures," read the text posted online by several signatories.
It urged the European Commission "to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised".
As Ministers for 🇪🇺Affairs meet in Brussels, joint statement by 🇮🇪 with 🇦🇹🇧🇪🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇩🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇱🇺🇳🇱🇵🇹🇸🇮🇪🇸🇸🇪 on the infringement of the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ persons in 🇭🇺. pic.twitter.com/j9KEznQXU2
— Ireland in Hungary (@irlembbudapest) May 27, 2025
The letter specifically referred to legislation passed in March that aims to prevent LGBTQ+ Pride events - such as the annual celebration planned in Budapest on 28 June.
The law allows the use of facial recognition technology to identify organisers and enables authorities to fine those who attend such an event.
Widely condemned by rights groups, it was the last in a series of legal changes that have seen Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban gradually roll back LGBTQ+ rights in the name of "child protection".
Budapest banned the official registration of sex changes and the legal recognition of the gender identities of transgender people in 2020.
And under a 2021 law, which was disputed by the commission at the European Court of Justice, it is also no longer possible to talk to minors about gender reassignment and LGBTQ+ issues.
Under Mr Orban, Budapest has regularly found itself at loggerheads with the EU, which has already frozen billions of euros in funds over issues including the treatment of asylum seekers and alleged corruption.
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