In both Hungary and Poland, socially conservative governments are in power, and their policies have repeatedly conflicted with the EC’s notion of the rule of law.
Despite warnings from Brussels and leaders in several Member States, a so-called anti-pedophilia law came into force in Hungary last week, banning, among other things, the “propaganda” of homosexuality and gender reassignment to young people under the age of 18.
EC President Urzula von der Leiena announced last week that she would use all the Commission’s powers to force Hungary to repeal or amend the law.
“Europe will never allow a part of our society to be stigmatized, whether it is because of love, age, ethnicity, political opinion or religion,” Leiena said to MEPs.
The Hungarian government argues that the new law aims to protect children, but its opponents insist that the law equates pedophilia with homosexuality and stigmatizes the so-called LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, quir and other sexuality) community.
Annual pride march in London
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In Poland, on the other hand, about 100 cities have adopted resolutions against LGBTQ “ideological propaganda” or the so-called Charter of Family Rights.
It covers about a third of Poland’s territory, mainly in the east and south-east of the country, which has traditionally been under the influence of Catholicism.
“The Commission considers that the Polish authorities have not fully and adequately responded to the request regarding the so-called LGBT-free zones, their nature and influence,” the EC statement said.
Infringement proceedings have already been initiated against Poland over the reform of the judiciary in Warsaw, which Brussels considers to be contrary to the rule of law and the values of the European Union (EU).
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The European Parliament condemns the Hungarian anti-LGBT law; the resolution also calls on Latvia
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In Hungary, a bookstore has been fined for children’s books depicting same-sex families
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EU-13 countries are concerned about Hungarian law discriminating against homosexuals
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Following the initiation of infringement proceedings, both Member States have two months to respond to the EC’s arguments.
In general, this procedure can take several years, but in the end the case can go to the EU Court of Justice, which can impose significant fines.
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