Viktor Orbán addresses people over controversial LGBTQ law
Apparently, the criticism that the Hungarian head of government Viktor Orbán faces does not leave him cold. Because: now he plans to ask the people about their opinion on the legislation against queers. In this way he wants to defend himself against the criticism that has hit him - especially from the EU.
According to a report in Der Spiegel, he shared his plans to do so on Facebook.
Viktor Orbán seeks popular support
Surely it would be a kind of satisfaction for the Hungarian head of government to know that a large part of his people are behind him. After all, the criticism he has faced since the publication of his plans for an anti-LGBTQ law is huge.
Therefore, he did not miss the opportunity to simultaneously ask for support for his side and criticize Brussels as part of the announcement for the vote. He said that the EU had attacked Hungary because of the law. Only the will of the people can help defend the country, he told Bloomberg.
How the vote will turn out is still written in the stars. After all, even in Hungary there are people who can identify more and more with the LGBTQ community and its values. It remains to be seen how effective Orbán's appeal will ultimately be and whether he will have to realize that his country may not be as LGBTQ-hostile as he is.
What is the controversial LGBTQ law about?
The law that has made such high waves can be summarized comparatively quickly. Orbán wants children - for example, in schools and in the corresponding publications - to come into contact exclusively with heterosexual relationships and depictions.
Accordingly, queer couples should not be the subject of discussion in class, but should also not be depicted in advertisements and the like. The aim is not to make same-sex love appear "normal". Instead, according to conservative opinion, the man-woman construct should be protected.
Why does Viktor Orbán want to consult the people?
The EU's reactions to the new legislation in Hungary were by no means a "minor outcry." Many countries reacted indignantly to the plans and expressed this in different ways.
Many politicians stated that such an approach would not be compatible with the EU's values and some even called for financial support for Hungary to be cut off.
However, it is certainly open to question how sensible it is to ask the people in a country where freedom of the press is repeatedly criticized. Many people in this country are likely to ask themselves whether the Hungarian citizens who are now to vote have the same information as people in the rest of the EU.
Should Victor Orbán win the (already controversial) vote, this should give him a lot of tailwind. After all, this would give him the opportunity to emphasize again and again that the anti-LGBTQ law is not just his own creation, but also represents the opinion of the majority of the population.
Opinions on the LGBTQ law vary widely on social networks
Many Internet users - including many public figures - see the Hungarian head of government's announced poll as a farce, while others praise him for leaving the decision on such an important issue to the people.
Either way: the probability that the respective opposing side will doubt the result (for the most diverse reasons) is very high. Therefore, it will probably take some time before peace (and equality) can finally return to Hungary with regard to LGBTQ issues.
Did you already know? Riccardo Simonetti receives death threats!