LGBTQ rights in Hungary: 'We are very hopeful that changes will be made'
Key takeaways
- The election of the Hungary's new centre-right prime minister, Peter Magyar, in April marked a particularly stinging defeat for Viktor Orban, whose government was widely regarded as one of the most anti-LGBTQ in the EU.
- But for the country's LGBTQ community, the reaction was more measured.
- “People are moderately optimistic, but we will have to wait to see changes at the legislative level,” said David Vig, director of Amnesty International Hungary.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The election of the Hungary's new centre-right prime minister, Peter Magyar, in April marked a particularly stinging defeat for Viktor Orban, whose government was widely regarded as one of the most anti-LGBTQ in the EU. Rights advocates expect legal changes but wonder about the timeline Magyar will adopt as the new prime minister remains cautious on divisive issues.
By: Simon FEISTHAUER FOURNET People hold signs during the Pride march in Budapest on June 28, 2025. © Rudolf Karancsi, AP When Peter Magyar came to power in April’s general election, ending former prime minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule in a historic landslide, many Hungarians felt a wave of relief. But for the country's LGBTQ community, the reaction was more measured.
“People are moderately optimistic, but we will have to wait to see changes at the legislative level,” said David Vig, director of Amnesty International Hungary.