9
Jul
2025
Watch
Lessons from Budapest Pride: the urgent need for an EU wide anti-discrimination law and defending fundamental rights against right-wing attacks (topical debate)
Chair, Commissioner, thank you. Last month, I proudly marched with my LGBTQI+ colleagues in the Budapest Pride parade. I marched with hundreds of ordinary people from all over Europe and Hungary. Older people, children with parents and teenagers. Everyone is friendly, friendly and united. United against Orbán. We sent strong messages to Orbán that Europe would not stand up for its homophobic leadership seeking to violate the EU treaties as well as denounce democratic human rights. People in Hungary have rejected what Orbán stands for. Orbán is slipping in the polls. Its policies aimed at limiting personal freedoms are failing. The greatest lesson from Budapest's pride. Europeans and European Member States, such as Ireland, my country, will not stand aside allowing Hungary and homophobic leaders to deprive us of our freedom in Europe. We stand firm. We stand up in the danger gap together and cooperate with you Commissioner. Thank you very much.