In Hungary, Novák Előd, a representative of the far-right Mi Hazánk Movement, has submitted a bill to the Parliament that seeks to prohibit the display of rainbow flags on public buildings. This legislative proposal has been presented in the context of escalating political tension surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
Előd’s justification for the bill revolves around the assertion that displaying the LGBTQ+ movement’s flag on prominent state properties could “cause outrage against the local public will.” If that makes sense to anyone.
He has made claims that the presence of the rainbow flag, particularly when displayed alongside the Hungarian national flag, serves to “insultingly and derogatorily desecrate” the latter, which he described as a national symbol protected by law. His sentiments underscore a broader societal divide, suggesting that the rainbow flag would offend “the convictions and feelings of the majority of citizens.”
The proposal comes shortly after the rainbow flag was ceremonially raised at the Óbuda City Hall, an act that Member of Parliament Szabó Tímea remarked symbolised “freedom.” This juxtaposition highlights the ongoing debate in Hungary regarding LGBTQ+ representation and rights, which has seen various attempts to restrict such displays.
In the National Assembly, Deputy Minister Répássy Róbert responded to Előd’s bill, suggesting that a separate law could potentially be formulated to address the issue rather than amending the Fundamental Law directly. This response indicates a recognition of the political sensitivity surrounding the topic and reflects the complexities of navigating legislative processes in a contentious environment.
Mi Hazánk’s efforts to embed a ban on rainbow flags into the Fundamental Law have faced previous challenges, as this is not the first instance of such legislation being proposed. Notably, Előd has a history of engaging in actions against LGBTQ+ symbols, having gained notoriety in 2020 when he removed a rainbow flag from the Budapest City Hall and reportedly fled the scene upon confrontation.
On a broader scale, the political landscape regarding LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary has recently been characterised by a series of contentious measures. For instance, on March 18, the National Assembly voted to limit the freedom of assembly associated with Pride events, which led to a significant outcry, including protests in the capital. These developments suggest a growing concern among LGBTQ+ activists and their supporters about the erosion of rights and freedoms related to sexual orientation and gender identity in Hungary.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/hungary-passes-anti-lgbtq-law-banning-pride-events – This article supports the claim about Hungary’s National Assembly voting to limit the freedom of assembly associated with Pride events, which led to significant protests in the capital, reflecting a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights.
- https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/26/demonstrators-block-traffic-in-budapest-in-opposition-to-new-law-banning-lgbtq-pride-event – This news article details protests in Budapest against the new law banning LGBTQ+ Pride events, showing the substantial public opposition to such legislative measures.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, given its mention of a specific, contemporary legislative proposal and recent events like the raising of the rainbow flag at Óbuda City Hall. However, it does not include information about the current status of the bill or reactions from all major parties involved.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
While quotes are attributed to key figures like Novák Előd and Répássy Róbert, there is no indication that these are original or verified against primary sources. No specific dates for the quotes are provided.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Index.hu, a Hungarian online news portal known for its critical stance toward the current government. However, without more context about the author’s credentials or potential biases, complete reliability cannot be assured.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims within the narrative align with current political tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary. The legislative proposal fits within a broader context of restrictions on LGBTQ+ related freedoms, making it plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is likely recent and plausible in the context of Hungarian politics, but its source reliability and quote verification could be stronger. Additional verification from primary sources would increase confidence in its accuracy.
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