A storm of anger in the Strasbourg European Parliament against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (58).
Members of parliament from all political groups except the far-right have strongly criticized the Hungarian and Polish governments for continuing to discriminate against homosexuals and other members of the LGBT spectrum.
During several hours of discussions on Wednesday, the EU Commission under Ursula van der Leyen, 62, had a number of demands: that they “finally do their job” and that they put Arban and his government in their place, with their policies to realize the financial consequences. “EU values are not a menu you can choose from,” said Liege Schreinmaker, 38, of the Netherlands. Anyone who violates the values must bear the consequences.
Van der Leyen calls the law “shameful.”
Background: In mid-June, Hungary passed a law banning “advertising” for homosexuality or gender reassignment. The right-wing nationalist Fidesz party introduced the draft in parliament.
“This law is a disgrace,” Van der Leyen said at the start of the full session. “It profoundly contradicts the fundamental values of the EU – the protection of minorities, human rights, equality and the protection of human rights.”
That is why the commission chairman said he would use all the tools the commission has to protect basic European values. The most important tool is the mechanism that came into force in January to reduce funding in the event of violations of the law. According to Bild, the Commission also follows an approach based on European media law.
EU Council President Charles Michel (45) also took the Hungarian government to court. Homosexual rights “are not a minor issue”, but affect society as a whole. “In the EU we do not discriminate, we unite.”
Ursula van der Leyen, President of the European Commission in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Charles Michael, President of the Council of the European UnionPhoto: E.P.A.
Many speakers wore rainbow costumes as a symbol of their unity. MEP from Malta Cyrus Enger (39) said: “Hatred is contagious, but courage is contagious.”
This is currently being shown by people in Hungary or Poland who, despite their hostility, show their identity and put all their beliefs in the EU. It is “What we are, we have the courage to love someone or those we love. We must come together even if the police do not protect us ”-“ to confront those who think we should not be ”.
During his speech in Strasbourg, M.E.P. Cyrus Engr (39, Labor)Photo: EU-Parliament
Polish parliamentarian Robert Byron (45) painted a dark picture of the living conditions of homosexuals in his home country. “I am a pole, I am gay. My country is ruled by a president who thinks people like me are not people, but an ideology. “
Seventy percent of young members of the LGBTQ spectrum would have thought they had already committed suicide. About 30 percent of Poland’s self-declared “LGBT-free zones”. This is only a short cut from hate speech to acts of violence. She is her own husband, who has been with her for 20 years, and she fears she will become a victim of violence.
Byrne appeals to van der Leyen: “Act now, the clock is ticking.”
Polish Member of Parliament Robert Byton (45, Social Democrat) Photo: EU-Parliament
FDP politician Moritz Korner, 30, spoke of a “Hungarian putinisation” because the law borrowed significantly from Russia’s anti – homosexual law. “Anyone who thinks watching Netflix makes you gay doesn’t understand anything,” she murmured, finally getting emotional: “Damn, I expect people to finally react. I can no longer explain to any gay or lesbian woman in Europe that this will not finally happen.”
Hungarian parliamentarian Anna Donat (34, Liberal) insisted that her country was “not identical with Orban.” He criticized the homosexual law as a “diversionary maneuver” with which the Orban government incites hatred, “Hungary incites against Hungary”. Among other things, he diverts through offers from “taking a Chinese university to the center of Hungary” and “selling Hungary’s highways to friends”.
Hungarian MP Anna Donat (34, Liberal)Photo: EU-Parliament
Several MPs have called on the government in Budapest to repeal the law. Shortly after the adoption, the EU Commission announced that it would take it to the European Court if the Hungarian government did not provide it.
Orban is increasingly isolated in the European Council, heads of state and government circles. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (54, Liberal) asked him very openly at the most recent EU summit: “Victor, why are you staying in the EU?”
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