Social Issues

European Commission to take measures if Orbán fails to rectify anti-LGBT law

Strasbourg, Jul 7 (EFE).- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that her administration would make full use of its powers as a warden of EU treaties if Hungary fails to “correct” its ways.

Von der Leyen was referring to the controversial anti-LGBT law that bans portrayals of homosexuality in educational material to minors.

“Let’s be clear, we make use of these powers for whichever member state infringing European law,” she said during a European Parliament debate.

“We just cannot stand aside while whole regions declare themselves so-called LGBTIQ-free zones. Europe will never allow it.”

Von der Leyen called the law a “disgrace,” mirroring EU leaders and heads of government’s widespread disapproval of the legislation that was passed by the Hungarian Parliament in late June.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has also come under fire in recent years for other alleged breaches of the rule of law, which prompted the block to agree on a mechanism that makes accessing EU funds conditional on compliance with the rule of law.

“Measures must be taken if it is established that breaches of the rule of law in member states affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget,” said Von der Leyen.

The European Parliament has called on the Commission to start applying the mechanism “immediately,” as its budgetary control committee pointed out that “the situation in some member states already warrants immediate action.” EFE

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