EXCLUSIVE: Czech President Miloš Zeman has also previously made sharp statements in public. Photo: Lisa Leutner / AP
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The Czech president used strong words in an interview about a new, LGBT-hostile law in Hungary.
It was in an interview with it Czech TV channels CNN Prima that President Miloš Zeman made the startling statement.
“If you undergo a sex operation, you are basically committing self-harm,” Zeman told the TV channel.
The interview was conducted in connection with Hungary’s recent introduction of a ban on the dissemination of content in schools that are considered to promote homosexuality or gender reassignment.
– I can understand gays, lesbians and so on. But do you know who I do not understand at all? These transgender people, Zeman said, adding:
– I think transgender people are disgusting.
Looking to Hungary
Earlier in June left the party to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán introduced a law banning education and publicity that includes sexual minorities.
The also states that the law is a “protection against pedophilia”. From before, the country has introduced a ban on legal change of gender.
This would mean a ban on all education and publicity around sexual minorities and LGBT + people. Russia already has similar legislation.
—-LOUD RESISTANCE: Protestants demonstrate against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the LGBT-hostile bill. The photo was taken on June 14 this year. Foto: MARTON MONUS / X07451
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During the TV interview, Zeman said that interference in the internal affairs of the EU in any member state is a gross political mistake, and he defended the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
“I see no reason not to agree with him,” Zeman said.
Czech presidents have limited executive power, but Zeman and his predecessors have had a strong influence on public debate. The president has also moved in the direction of both Russia and China and criticized immigration from Muslim countries.
The EU opposes
Unless the law of Hungary is withdrawn, has The EU has announced that it will take up the matter to its highest court. 17 of the member states have expressed their condemnation of the bill.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has previously lobbied for Hungary to be subject to cuts in EU funding aimed at hitting EU countries that break EU rules.
Friday also went to Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H) strongly to attack the bill in Hungary.
– The law is one of the worst examples we have seen in recent times, and an example of the country continuing on the path away from the rule of law and democracy, Eriksen told VG.
Minister of Culture Abid Raja (V) has previously expressed concern about the LGBT-free zones in Poland.
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