For the first time in more than a decade, Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community is expressing cautious hope following the decisive rejection of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government in a landmark parliamentary election.
Over the weekend, voters backed Péter Magyar’s Tisza opposition party, delivering a major blow to Orbán’s far-right Fidesz party.
Election Signals Shift After Years of Repression
Under Orbán, who aligned himself with Donald Trump and maintained close ties with Russia, Hungary became increasingly repressive, with critics accusing the government of undermining democratic institutions and targeting LGBTQ+ people.
Orbán repeatedly claimed that LGBTQ+ individuals posed a threat to children and families, rhetoric that drew widespread international condemnation.
Rights Group Welcomes “Historic Moment”
“This is a historic moment for Hungary. After 16 years of a government intent on ignoring human rights and dismantling the rule of law, the majority of Hungarians voted for change,” said Dávid Vig, Director of Amnesty International Hungary.
“This represents a momentous opportunity for Hungary to reverse the human rights rollback the country has experienced and return to a path where human rights are at the centre of all government policies.”
Mixed Signals on LGBTQ+ Rights
While Magyar is expected to become the next prime minister, he has not campaigned strongly on LGBTQ+ equality. However, he has spoken in support of democratic values and the right to assembly.
In his victory speech, he appeared to address LGBTQ+ issues, stating: “Everyone can live with whoever they love as long as they do not violate laws or harm others.”
Orbán’s Legacy of Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws in Hungary
Hungary’s current legal framework reflects years of restrictive policies under the Fidesz party. The 2011 constitution defined marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
The government also introduced a series of anti-LGBTQ+ measures, including laws that prevent transgender and intersex people from legally changing their gender or sex assigned at birth.
In 2021, Hungary adopted a controversial Russian-style “propaganda law”, banning content related to LGBTQ+ identities in schools and media accessible to minors.
In March last year, Parliament also passed legislation outlawing Pride events, making it a criminal offence to organise or participate in them. The law also permits the use of facial recognition technology to identify participants.
Pride Defiance Signals Ongoing Resistance
Despite these restrictions, activists and community members continued to resist. In June 2025, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to mark the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride, openly defying the ban.
The election result has now raised hopes that Hungary could begin reversing years of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and restore protections for human rights and equality.
