Hungary urged to revise anti-LGBTQ laws after EU court ruling

Tuesday 12 May 2026 - 11:30

Hungary’s incoming government will need to amend legislation restricting LGBTQ rights following a ruling by the European Union’s top court, according to the country’s justice minister nominee.

Marta Gorog said that Hungary must align its laws with European legal standards after the European Court of Justice found that previous measures limiting access to LGBTQ content violated EU law.

The court ruled that legislation introduced under the former administration unlawfully restricted access to LGBTQ-related content and contributed to discrimination and social exclusion of gay and transgender people.

The issue has become one of the main points of tension between Budapest and Brussels in recent years, alongside broader disputes over rule of law and democratic standards. These disagreements have also contributed to delays in the release of significant European Union funds to Hungary.

The new Hungarian leadership under Prime Minister Peter Magyar has pledged to rebuild relations with the European Union and unlock frozen financial support. However, EU officials have insisted that concrete legal and institutional reforms are required.

Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Marta Gorog stressed that Hungary, as an EU member state, has legal obligations that must be respected. She said national legislation cannot exist in isolation and must reflect shared European values and judicial decisions.

Under the previous government led by Viktor Orban, LGBTQ-related rights were significantly restricted. Authorities justified the measures as part of child protection policies, which included bans on certain public events and increased surveillance powers.

Human rights organizations and EU institutions have repeatedly criticized these policies, arguing that they undermine fundamental freedoms and contribute to discrimination against minority groups.

The new government is now expected to review existing laws to ensure compliance with EU standards, in what could mark a shift in Hungary’s approach to civil rights and its relationship with Brussels.