Result Statement: ‘Leave Hungary alone’ | What you say

Timmermans appealed to his fellow European Commissioners who are responsible for safeguarding the rule of law. The European Commission calls the new Hungarian law, which should prevent children from being brought into contact with homosexuality and gender reassignment at school or through books and films, as ‘discriminatory’.

The EC’s second man would like to see Hungary brought before the European court. This is not necessary for the majority of the respondents. “Hungary may enforce rules and laws itself within its borders as long as the basis remains that international human rights are respected,” said one of them. And a kindred spirit believes: “It is not an anti-gay law, but a law that should protect minors against wrong pedos, etc. From the age of 18 everyone can do what he wants.” Just over half of the participants believe that the EU should not cut subsidies to the Eastern European country either.

Nevertheless, the controversial law evokes the idea among many respondents that the rule of law is being violated. And the response to the question whether the Hungarian anti-gay law violates the principles of the democratic constitutional state is strongly divided: 45% think so, against 44% who do not.

In any case, it is an illusion to think that many Eastern European countries would develop into fully-fledged democratic member states under the umbrella of the EU. About three quarters of the voters think that their hopes have turned out to be vain. Many cite Poland in this regard, where reforms affect, for example, the judiciary. “Hungary is like Poland with its judges, too bad we can’t kick them out,” said one participant.

The fact that athletes under the influence of activists increasingly speak out on political issues is not a good development for most. The majority takes the view that sport and politics should remain separate. For example, the OneLove captain’s armband in the rainbow colors of Orange international Georginio Wijnaldum could count on little support from the position participants. Wearing this captain’s armband in the game against the Czech Republic had to convey that the Dutch national team is for inclusivity and against racism and discrimination. However, most respondents do not think it is a good statement.

Moreover, such an action also evokes the feeling in many that Orange is selective in its protests. Where is the rejection of the internationals of Qatar as the organizing country of the 2022 World Cup, various respondents wonder? “Dutch football players must now also make a statement against Qatar, where 6,500 people were killed during the construction of the stadium,” it sounds. Moreover, there is no freedom at all for LGBTI people in this country. Many believe that Orange ‘shouldn’t go to Qatar’. Some pessimists think that ‘we’ will not make it to the World Cup anyway if the Orange continues to play football as against the Czech Republic.

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