Hungary’s National Assembly is poised to approve a set of controversial constitutional amendments on April 14, as the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition—armed with a commanding two-thirds majority—pushes ahead with changes that critics say tighten the government’s grip on civil liberties.
Filed last month by coalition MPs, the proposed changes touch on everything from gender identity to drug policy, and they’re all but guaranteed to pass.
One key amendment states that children have an overriding right to protection of their physical, mental, and moral development—second only to the right to life. Observers say this could be used as a legal foundation to block Pride events and other LGBTQ+ public gatherings.
The revised Basic Law would also declare that individuals are born “male or female,” and that this biological sex is immutable under the law—effectively outlawing legal gender changes in Hungary.
Another amendment introduces the possibility of suspending the citizenship of dual nationals whose actions are deemed a threat to national sovereignty, with specifics to be laid out in future legislation.
The changes would also make it constitutionally illegal to produce, distribute, use, or promote drugs, tightening the country’s already strict narcotics laws.
Not everyone is staying quiet. The opposition Momentum party has called for a blockade-style protest outside the Parliament building to disrupt today’s vote, decrying the amendments as an assault on personal freedoms.
Lawmakers are expected to cast their votes this afternoon.
