Hungary’s parliament has approved a sweeping set of constitutional amendments that will restrict LGBTQ+ rights and allow the suspension of citizenship for dual nationals deemed a security threat.
The legislative changes, introduced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán‘s ruling Fidesz party, passed with 140 votes in favor and 21 against. The government says the amendments are intended to safeguard children’s “physical and moral development,” but critics argue they mark a major step toward authoritarianism.
LGBTQ+ Events and Civil Liberties at Risk
The new amendments give the government the authority to ban public LGBTQ+ events, including Pride marches, which it claims may harm children. This follows a separate law passed in March that outlawed LGBTQ+ pride events on similar grounds.
Opposition MP David Bedo of the Momentum party expressed deep concern, saying the legislation doesn’t just target LGBTQ+ events but could be used to shut down any opposition-led gatherings. “It’s not just about Pride; it’s about any assembly organized by the opposition,” he told the BBC. “This is only the first step in a broader campaign against democracy and the rule of law.”
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside parliament to protest the amendments, which rights advocates have described as a “key moment in Hungary’s shift toward illiberal governance.”
Dual Nationals Under Scrutiny
The amendments also empower the government to temporarily revoke the citizenship of Hungarian dual nationals accused of threatening national security or sovereignty. Fidesz officials have suggested the measure targets individuals who fund “foreign-influenced” organizations and media — a move critics believe is aimed at figures like Hungarian-American philanthropist George Soros, long a target of Orbán’s rhetoric.
Orban’s “Easter Cleanup”
Orbán, in comments earlier this year, referred to an impending “Easter cleanup” of his political opponents. Observers believe the newly passed amendments are a step in that direction, tightening control over dissent and reinforcing Hungary’s conservative identity.
Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács defended the changes on social media, calling them a “constitutional safeguard” designed to shield children from harmful ideological influences, particularly in reference to LGBTQ+ pride events.
Rising Political Opposition
The constitutional changes come amid shifting political dynamics in Hungary. Recent polls show the center-right Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, gaining national traction ahead of the 2026 elections. Magyar, a former Fidesz ally, broke with the party in 2024, criticizing its governance and pushing for a more EU-friendly approach.
Fidesz is reportedly attempting to pressure Magyar into supporting LGBTQ+ rights publicly, in hopes of alienating his conservative base — but so far, he has remained silent on the issue.
