Hungary’s Constitutional Amendment to Ban Pride Shocks Those Unaware Hungary Still Has a Constitution

2 min read Orwellian Right

Hungary moved to ban Budapest Pride via its constitution—which, shockingly, exists. Who knew it wasn’t just a vibes-based autocracy? Free expression endangers families now. Big Brother is proud of you, Hungary. pic.twitter.com/XE9oKWjK6Q
— Orwell (satire?) (@goodthink1984) June 3, 2025

BUDAPEST – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s efforts to constitutionally ban Budapest’s long running Pride March shocked observers around the globe, most of whom had no idea Hungary still had a constitution, at all.

“Color me surprised!” said Earl Whitman, a feed store operator from Montana. “Hungary had a constitution all this time? I really thought they were a soft authoritarian hybrid regime, whose democratic institution exists formally, but in reality only reinforces single-party dominance. Shows what I know.”

Budapest Pride committee member Éva Horváth said, “Equating homosexuality with endangering children was expected when I thought my country was an autocracy, but now that I realize we have a constitution, it seems like the rights I didn't know I had are being infringed upon.”

In a statement an Orbán spokesperson responded, “Family values are at the center of Hungarian society and people expressing themselves in a free and safe way is incompatible with this.”

This is a work of satire. Characters and situations may be created for comic effect. AI-generated image by ChatGPT.

JUST THE FACTS

Hungary’s new constitutional amendment empowers authorities to ban public LGBTQ+ events, including Pride marches, and allows facial recognition to identify participants, who may face steep fines of up to $546. It also restricts assemblies deemed contrary to “child protection."

The amendment prioritizes the moral, physical, and spiritual development of children over civil freedoms and bans "the depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to people under 18 years old.

Opposition politicians, some physically removed by police while protesting with air horns, had their parliamentary immunity revoked and received large fines. The law has triggered nationwide demonstrations and calls from rights groups for EU intervention due to threats to democracy and fundamental rights.

The constitutional amendments also grant power to suspend the citizenship of dual nationals from non-EU countries if deemed a security threat. This is seen as a move against critics and those accused of foreign influence, part of a broader strategy to consolidate state control.

Hungary's Constitution says: "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of speech"; "Everyone shall have the right to peaceful assembly"; and "Everyone shall have the right to establish and join organisations."

Sources: BBC, UNN, Reuters, Constitute Project, RFI, and The Guardian.

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