—
Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament - The outcome of 22 June hearings under Article 7(1) of the TEU regarding Poland and Hungary (continuation of debate)
Rightly, the overwhelming majority of Council members were outraged by the anti-LGBTQI law introduced by Orbán in Hungary. Orbán has already crossed red lines in the past, but now he has fallen lower than ever. I welcome the reaction of most Heads of State and Government, but that should not end there. The Council must trigger Article 7 against this Hungarian government. All legal means must be implemented in order to show Orbán that he has gone too far. We are a Union of values, whether Orbán likes it or not. He does not want to hear reason, so he must assume the consequences. Hungary's anti-LGBTQI law goes against everything the European Union stands for. When you are a member of the EU, you adhere to our values. This is not an à la carte menu. We must speak out against the deteriorating situation of LGBTQI rights in Hungary. We must act and hold the Hungarian government to account. It is about protecting what is most precious, the freedom of our citizens.