By akademiotoelektronik, 19/07/2022

Homophobic law in Hungary: Macron denounces the "rise of illiberalism" in certain European countries

The President of the Republic, questioned this Friday at the end of the European Council in Brussels, supported the legal procedure initiated by the European Commission against Hungary in connection with a law deemed homophobic. The Head of State nevertheless considered that it was "not (of) a Viktor Orban problem".

"We Europeans must ask ourselves questions about ourselves" and determine "how to combat" the illiberal drift in certain post-communist societies, Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, about a Hungarian law deemed homophobic, while recognizing the difficulty for Europe to respond quickly

The controversial Hungarian legislation sparked an unusually heated debate at a summit of the Twenty-Seven in Brussels, according to participants. This law led 17 member countries, including France and Germany, to challenge EU leaders in a letter on the need to uphold European values.

No procedure for expulsion from the country

While excluding any procedure of exclusion or financial sanction against Hungary, the French president estimated, during a press conference, that the only short-term response was to "support the procedure initiated by the European Commission, even if it is slow, and to strengthen our position in public opinion and the media".

For him, this question of values ​​is "existential, principled" for Europe

"What credibility would we have if we accepted that these values ​​were undermined within our ranks? How then can we say to Albanians, to Serbs, 'make an effort on the rule of law' to enter the EU? “, he exclaimed.

"It's not a problem Viktor Orban"

"It's not a problem Viktor Orban (Hungarian Prime Minister, editor's note), it's not true", a- he continued, calling for being "tough with the leaders and convincing with the people".

"We must re-engage in work with intellectuals from civil society, be more present in the press of these countries, better support those who defend European ideas, we need a strategy in this area", he said. he pleaded. "We need an in-depth debate, this is a subject that must come out in the Convention on the future of Europe", he wished.

On the same subject

The Hungarian law challenged by the EU provides that "pornography and content that depicts sexuality or promotes deviation from gender identity, sex reassignment and homosexuality must not not be accessible to those under the age of 18".

H.G. with AFP