Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Germany to Deport American, 3 EU Citizens Following Pro-Hamas Demonstration.

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What Happened: Four individuals, including three EU citizens and one American, are facing deportation from Germany due to their involvement in protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Their cases have not yet been adjudicated in court.

👥 Who’s Involved: The individuals comprise two Irish citizens, one Polish citizen, and one American citizen.

📍 Where & When: The protest occurred at Berlin’s Free University in October 2024. The deportation orders were served last month, with an April 21 deadline for voluntary departure.

💬 Key Quote: “We all feel very defiant and confident that this won’t pass through the legal system,” said Roberta Murray, one of the Irish citizens facing deportation.

⚠️ Impact: The move raises concerns about potential conflicts with EU laws on freedom of movement and has sparked discussion about Germany’s commitment to Israel.

IN FULL:

Berlin’s Immigration Office has issued deportation orders to four individuals for their participation in a pro-Hamas protest at Berlin’s Free University, which involved damage to property. The protesters, two from Ireland, one from Poland, and one from the United States, are accused of participating in the October 2024 demonstrations, which resulted in violence and property destruction.. They were instructed last month to leave the country by April 21 or face deportation.

The protestors allege that no formal charges have been communicated to them, though official statements cite ongoing criminal proceedings related to the incident. Their legal representative, Alexander Gorski, is challenging the orders, citing the lack of due process and expressing confidence that the individuals will be allowed to stay until their cases can be more thoroughly examined.

The European Union’s principle of freedom of movement is central to this issue. The deportation threats have prompted concerns about potential conflicts with this fundamental EU law, particularly as this involves citizens of EU member states. We all feel very defiant and confident that this won’t pass through the legal system,” said Roberta Murray, one of the Irish citizens facing deportation.

“I hadn’t expected it to go this way at all,” Cooper Longbottom—a 27-year-old graduate student from Seattle, Washington, slated to be removed from the EU country—said, adding: “I hadn’t gotten any charges in the mail. It’s just a complete mess and not how the order of criminal law and due process is supposed to go.”

German authorities point to the concept of “Staatsräson,” or Germany’s unwavering solidarity with Israel, as justification for the deportations. However, traditionally, “Staatsräson” has served as more of a political concept than a legal one. Longbottom has indicated he has no intention of leaving  Germany despite the deportation proceedings.

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India Takes Trump’s Lead, Imposes Tariffs to Block Cheap Chinese Imports.

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What Happened: India plans to implement a 12 percent safeguard duty on steel imports to curb an influx of inexpensive steel from foreign nations, especially China.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Indian government, Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Ministry of Finance. Key stakeholders include JSW Steel, Tata Steel, the Steel Authority of India, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India.

📍 Where & When: The measures will apply in India, with the duty expected to be enforced promptly following final government approval.

💬 Key Quote: “There is clarity that the duty would be 12 percent and a decision is expected at the earliest,” a source informed of the situation stated.

⚠️ Impact: The surge of cheaper steel imports has led to operational challenges and potential job cuts among India’s smaller steel mills.

IN FULL:

India is set to impose a temporary tariff of 12 percent on steel imports, aiming to counter a significant increase in low-cost steel products from China. The action, referred to locally as a safeguard duty, is intended to take effect promptly.

As the second-largest producer of crude steel, India was also a net importer of finished steel for the second straight year during the 2024/25 fiscal year. Preliminary government data shows that steel imports climbed to their highest level in nine years, reaching 9.5 million metric tons.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) advised last month that a 12 percent tariff be placed on certain steel imports for 200 days. This recommendation forms part of broader efforts to manage cheap imports, following an investigation that began in December of the preceding year to evaluate the impact on Indian steel manufacturers. Of primary concern is China’s dumping of cheap steel products on Indian markets, which aims to undermine India’s domestic steel industry.

“There is clarity that the duty would be 12 [percent] and a decision is expected at the earliest,” an Indian government source said, regarding the anticipated adoption of the DGTR recommendation.

In recent months, India has recorded a surge in finished steel imports from China, South Korea, and Japan. These three countries were responsible for a large portion, amounting to 78 percent of India’s finished steel imports.

This influx is putting financial pressure on smaller steel mills in India, leading some to downscale operations or even contemplate layoffs. A number of nations are considering similar measures to restrict imports, as India’s main steel industry associations, including JSW Steel, Tata Steel, the Steel Authority of India, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, continue to express concerns about the market effects of such imports.

Image by GovernmentZA.

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Qatari Official Briefly Endorses Hamas, Retracts Post.

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What Happened: Qatari deputy prime minister Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani posted on social media expressing support for Hamas, then deleted the posts, sparking renewed allegations regarding the country’s role in financing Islamist terrorist organizations like Hamas. Additionally, the social media posts have call into question Qatar’s role in ongoing Middle East peace efforts.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani, Qatari deputy prime minister; Hamas leaders; Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser; Qatari foreign ministry; Al Jazeera.

📍 Where & When: Qatar, posts made and deleted during the week of April 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We Are all Hamas… Oh Al-Quds, revolt and commemorate Al-Qassam!” — Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani.

⚠️ Impact: The social media messages are raising concerns about Qatar’s role in Middle East peace efforts and its material support for several Islamist terrorist groups.

IN FULL:

Earlier this week, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani reportedly posted and then swiftly deleted a series of social media messages expressing support for the Hamas terrorist group. The incident has reignited discussions about Qatar’s role in Middle Eastern peace efforts.

According to reports, Al Thani’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) included declarations such as “We Are all Hamas… Oh Al-Quds, revolt and commemorate Al-Qassam!” The social media posts align with a history of similar sentiments from Al Thani, who has previously criticized Israel and the United States. Notably, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has documented Al Thani’s past support for Hamas and calls for Qatar to increase its influence on U.S. decision-makers.

Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement following the October 7, 2023 terror raid in Israel by Hamas, blaming Israel for the escalation. Al Jazeera, a news network funded by the Qatari government, broadcast messages from Hamas leadership, including military calls to arms and declarations of triumph.

The Middle Eastern country held considerable influence under the Biden government, with former President Joe Biden’s brother, Jim Biden, alleged to have numerous business relationships with Qatari government representatives.

Additionally, Qatar has come under scrutiny in the United States over its lavish funding of American academic and media institutions, with conservative media network Newsmax reportedly pursuing a $50 million investment from a member of the country’s royal family.

Image via Fars Media Corporation.

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Italy’s Meloni Set for White House Strategy Session on Tariffs with Trump.

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What Happened: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is traveling to Washington on Thursday to negotiate with President Donald J. Trump regarding European Union (EU) trade tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., meeting on Thursday, with the trip concluding on Friday when Meloni returns to Rome.

💬 Key Quote: Meloni stated, “Surely I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”

⚠️ Impact: Potential impact on EU-U.S. trade dynamics, with current annual trade valued at approximately €1.6 trillion ($1.8 trillion).

IN FULL:

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is visiting the United States on Thursday to engage in trade negotiations with President Donald J. Trump, with the aim of reducing tariffs on European exports. The meeting comes in the wake of Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement imposing reciprocal tariffs on foreign governments with barriers limiting the purchase of American exports, including a 20 percent trade duty on goods from the European Union (EU).

Subsequently, Trump paused the enactment of the reciprocal tariffs last week to allow time for negotiations on bilateral trade agreements with over 70 countries, but a 10 percent tariff remains in place alongside higher tariffs on specific products, such as steel.

Meloni is the first European leader to meet with Trump following the tariff announcement. The Italian Prime Minister’s White House visit underscores an effort by the EU to reach terms with President Trump and avoid the reimposition of the 20 percent tariff on the EU this summer. “We know we’re going through a difficult period, let’s see how it goes in the coming hours. I don’t feel any pressure, as you can imagine, for my next two days, let’s say,” Meloni quipped earlier this week. “Surely I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”

The rapport between Trump and Meloni could play a key role in the future of economic relations between the United States and Europe. President Trump has referred to Meloni as a “fantastic leader,” and the Italian Prime Minister has pushed EU leaders in Brussels to let her take the lead in working to de-escalate the trade tensions with the White House.

Following the Thursday meeting with President Trump, Meloni will return to Italy and host U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Rome, where trade discussions will likely continue. Trade between the EU and the United States is valued at an estimated €1.6 trillion (~$1.8 trillion) annually, with the former holding a trade surplus of €198.2 billion (~$225.3 billion).

Image: European Union, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Nearly Half of Criminal Suspects in This European Country Are Foreigners.

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What Happened: Crime statistics reveal that nearly half of the criminal suspects in Austria in 2024 were foreigners.

👥 Who’s Involved: Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, foreign criminals, youth criminals.

📍 Where & When: A report on Austrian crime statistics was released by Karner on April 14.

💬 Key Quote: “The number of crimes among ten to 14-year-olds has almost doubled in the last five years. Above all, the number of Syrian suspects clearly stands out here.” — Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

⚠️ Impact: The statistics reveal how overrepresented foreigners are in criminal reports in Austria.

IN FULL:

Despite representing around 20 percent of the overall population, foreigners accounted for nearly 50 percent of the criminal suspects in Austria last year. Of the over 335,000 criminal suspects investigated by police in the European Union (EU) member state in 2024, 46.8 percent were foreign nationals.

The top sources of foreign criminals are Romania, Germany, and Syria, with Syrians seeing a 30 percent increase in crimes compared to the prior year. The data, presented by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, also reveals a surge in youth crime across the country. Crimes attributed to children aged 10 to 14 increased by nearly 100 percent, with around half being foreigners.

“The number of crimes among ten to 14-year-olds has almost doubled in the last five years. Above all, the number of Syrian suspects clearly stands out here,” Interior Minister Karner said. Due to the increase, the Interior Minister has suggested expanding facilities for repeat youth criminals, while others have called for increased fines for school absences.

Dominik Nepp, the leader of the populist Freedom Party (FPOe) in Vienna, stated that the age of criminal responsibility should be reduced to 12 years old and said that Austria’s immigration and border policies also contributed to the surge in criminality.

The anti-mass migration FPOe, led by Herbert Kickl, came first in the last Austrian national election and looked to form a government earlier this year, but talks between them and the center-right Austrian People’s Party collapsed.

Image by C.Stadler/Bwag.

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Kidnapped American Missionary Rescued After Deadly Gun Battle.

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What Happened: An American missionary in South Africa was kidnapped and subsequently rescued by authorities following a deadly gun battle.

👥 Who’s Involved: Josh Sullivan, 45, the missionary; South African police; and multiple unidentified suspects.

📍 Where & When: The kidnapping occurred in Motherwell, near Gqeberha, South Africa, during a church service last Thursday. The rescue took place at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha.

💬 Key Quote: “Josh has been released. I just got ‘the go ahead to let it be known,’” Pastor Tom Hatley stated.

⚠️ Impact: The incident underscores the dangerous kidnapping rates in South Africa and concerns over the safety of Christian missionaries.

IN FULL:

Authorities in South Africa have successfully rescued Josh Sullivan, an American missionary, who was kidnapped during a church service last week. The operation resulted in a deadly exchange of gunfire, leaving three suspects dead.

Sullivan’s abduction occurred at a Fellowship Baptist Church service in Motherwell last Thursday. Armed assailants entered the church, targeting Sullivan specifically. While approximately 30 attendees, including Sullivan’s family, were present, no others were harmed during the incident.

Police tracked Sullivan for five days before receiving a tip-off that led them to a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha. Upon their approach, suspects inside a vehicle opened fire, prompting a retaliatory response from the authorities. The confrontation ended with the fatal shooting of three suspects. Sullivan was discovered inside the vehicle, unharmed, and assessed by medical personnel, who confirmed he was in “excellent condition.”

Pastor Tom Hatley of Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, confirmed the rescue on social media. “Josh has been released. I just got ‘the go ahead to let it be known,'” he said.

Questions remain about the motives behind Sullivan’s kidnapping. International Christian Concern suggested religious reasons might be a factor, as the church had faced threats in the past. However, the Reverend Jeremy Hall, from the Gqeberha area, speculated that financial motives might be a more likely explanation.

South Africa has witnessed a notable surge in reported kidnappings, with instances rising by 264 percent over the past decade. The period from 2023 to 2024 alone saw over 17,000 recorded kidnappings, raising significant concerns about security in the region.

The successful rescue comes amid tensions between the United States and South Africa over seizures of the land of white farmers without compensation. Last month, President Donald J. Trump dismissed the South African ambassador, who had referred to the America First leader as a white supremacist.

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J.D. Vance Heads to Italy, India. Here’s Why…

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What Happened: Vice President J.D. Vance is set to begin an international trip to Italy and India, marking his third such journey with the Trump administration. The visit aims to discuss economic and geopolitical priorities with leaders in both nations.

👥 Who’s Involved: Vice President J.D. Vance, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and members of the Second Family are involved.

📍 Where & When: The trip will take place starting Friday, with visits to Rome, New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.

💬 Key Quote: A statement from Vance’s office noted the intent to “discuss shared economic and geopolitical priorities.”

⚠️ Impact: The trip coincides with ongoing international interest in negotiating trade deals with the U.S. following the Trump administration’s tariff announcements, highlighting tensions over trade issues.

IN FULL:

Vice President J.D. Vance is preparing to embark on his third major international trip on Friday, heading to Italy and India, where he will meet with national political leaders to discuss critical U.S. economic and geopolitical priorities. While in Rome, Italy, the U.S. Vice President is scheduled to sit down with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Notably, the Vatican is considered a key communication channel in diplomatic circles. Its ambassadors typically have long tenures representing the Holy See in their host countries, allowing for significant political relationships to be forged.

After Italy, Vance will travel to three cities in India: New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. While in the South Asian nation, Vance is scheduled to meet with the country’s nationalist Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The Vice President’s office announced that the Second Family would also partake in cultural engagements at yet-to-be-specified sites.

The announcement of Vance’s travels comes amid significant global interest in negotiating trade agreements with the United States. This follows President Donald J. Trump’s April 2 imposition of a 10 percent global tariff and reciprocal tariffs targeting several nations and the European Union (EU), of which Italy is a member state. The bloc was hit with a 20 percent tariff, while Indian goods saw a 26 percent tariff. Subsequently, as countries moved to open trade talks with the U.S., President Trump declared a 90-day pause in the reciprocal tariffs on April 9, leaving only a 10 percent global tariff for everyone but China.

Prior to the meeting with Vance, Italy’s Meloni will be in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to open trade negotiations with President Trump and his Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent.

Vance has emerged as a key international representative of the Trump administration, having previously traveled to Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where he urged European nations to enhance their defense contributions and uphold free speech, and to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base, for defense reviews and to reiterate American’s continued interest acquiring the Arctic island from Denmark.

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China Refuses Boeing Jet Deliveries.

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What Happened: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has instructed domestic airlines to halt acceptance of Boeing jet deliveries amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Chinese government, domestic Chinese airlines, Boeing, U.S. companies supplying airline parts, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The announcement occurred in China in the context of ongoing trade disputes with the U.S.

💬 Key Quote: “We do not see China as critical to Boeing’s ramp over the next few years,” said Seth Seifman, an analyst with JPMorgan. He added: “China will be important longer term, however.”

⚠️ Impact: Boeing’s stocks dropped by 1.6 percent in morning trading. China’s heightened tariffs on U.S. goods to 125 percent complicate aircraft and parts shipments, affecting affordability. The trade rift may disrupt Boeing’s planned deliveries, impacting future transactions.

IN FULL:

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is directing its country’s aviation sector to stop receiving Boeing jets as U.S.-China trade tensions intensify. The Chinese government’s directive also includes a halt on the purchase of U.S.-made airline components. Last week, China’s communist government announced it would increase tariffs on American goods to 125 percent. This followed an announcement by U.S. President Donald J. Trump of a 145 percent tariff on all Chinese imports.

Notably, Boeing-made aircraft comprise an estimated 40 percent of the total global commercial aviation market. France-based Airbus holds nearly 60 percent of the market, with Canada’s Bombardier Aviation and Brazil’s Embraer S.A. making up the small remainder. Additionally, U.S.-made airline parts account for a significant share of components sold around the world.

The move by China could significantly impact Boeing, which was set to deliver approximately 10 of its 737 Max models to Chinese airlines like China Southern Airlines, Air China, and Xiamen Airlines. However, payment and delivery processes for some aircraft may have been finalized before the trade conflict expanded, meaning those specific deliveries might proceed. In addition, the CCP restrictions could cause considerable problems for China’s domestic commercial aviation industry, limiting the ability of the country’s airlines to source critical components—with the use of aftermarket or refurbished parts increasing safety risks.

“We do not see China as critical to Boeing’s ramp over the next few years,” wrote Seth Seifman, an analyst with JPMorgan, in an investor note. He added: “China will be important longer term, however.”

Following the announcement of the CCP directive, Boeing’s stock shares fell 1.6 percent, or $2.59, to $156.74 as trading began Tuesday morning.

The restrictions on Boeing are one of the few areas where China can directly impact American exports. As a surplus economy, China exports far more than it imports—especially in its trade relations with the U.S. Notably, American exports to China are primarily agricultural in nature, with aircraft and airline components comprising a much smaller share.

Image by Clemens Vasters.

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WARNING: Greenland Signals Closer Co-Operation With Chinese Communist Party.

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What Happened: Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, announced the strategically important island will seek greater cooperation with China, potentially entering into a trade partnership.

👥 Who’s Involved: Greenlandic Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Denmark, China, the United States, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

📍 Where & When: Motzfeldt’s comments appeared in a recent interview with the Danish daily newspaper Berlingske. 

💬 Key Quote: “China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation,” Motzfeldt said.

⚠️ Impact: The comments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict and President Donald J. Trump’s goal of securing strategic control over Greenland.

IN FULL:

Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, says the strategically important island will seek greater cooperation with China and potentially enter into a trade partnership with the communist state. The announcement, made in an interview with the Danish daily newspaper Berlingske, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict and President Donald J. Trump’s goal of securing strategic control over the island.

“China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation,” Motzfeldt said in the interview. The Greenlandic Foreign Affairs Minister noted that she traveled to China in 2023 as part of a diplomatic delegation to open the island’s representative office within the Danish embassy in Beijing. Motzfeldt emphasized Greenland’s current trade relations with China, noting its significant seafood exports to the communist country.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has made securing American influence over Greenland a key goal of his White House. The island—currently a semi-autonomous protectorate under the Kingdom of Denmark—is strategically located at the boundary of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and holds significant rare earth mineral deposits. Currently, the island hosts a small U.S. Space Force contingent at the Pituffik Space Base. However, American military officials have pushed for a more significant presence, including the possibility of a naval facility for submarine basing.

“We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100 percent,” President Trump said during an interview in late March, stating he was confident it is a “good possibility that we could do it without military force.” However, the America First leader added that he would not “take anything off the table.”

Conversely, China has condemned American aims on Greenland, with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian stating: “On the issue of Greenland, China always believes that relations between countries should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”

Motzfeldt’s announcement of interest in increased cooperation between Greenland and China comes amidst increasing tensions between the United States and its Asian communist rival. Last week, the Trump administration announced it was increasing the trade tariff on Chinese imports to 145 percent. China retaliated, raising its import duty on American goods to 125 percent and barring the further purchase of American-made commercial aircraft.

Image by NordForsk/Terje Heiestad.

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Hungary Gets Constitutional in Fight to Protect Kids From LGBT Ideology.

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What Happened: Hungary passed a constitutional amendment that permits authorities to prohibit LGBT+ public events like Pride marches.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hungary’s government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban; opposition politicians; protesters; LGBT+ communities.

📍 Where & When: Hungary, April 14.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re protecting children’s development, affirming that a person is born either male or female, and standing firm against drugs and foreign interference.” — Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

⚠️ Impact: The law could increase tensions regarding LGBT+ rights, potentially leading to broader use of surveillance technology and affecting freedom of assembly.

IN FULL:

Hungary’s parliament has approved a constitutional amendment enabling authorities to ban LGBTQ public events to protect children from LGBTQ ideology. The amendment, which passed Monday, explicitly allows the government to halt events such as Budapest‘s annual Pride march.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said of the constitutional changes, “Hungary’s constitutional amendment is now law. We’re protecting children’s development, affirming that a person is born either male or female, and standing firm against drugs and foreign interference.”

Specifically, the amendment allows for the prohibition of events that “promote or display deviation from a person’s gender at birth, gender reassignment, or homosexuality” in settings where children could be exposed to them, such as public streets.

In response to the amendment, opposition politicians and demonstrators blockaded the parliament’s entrances and used air horns to disrupt proceedings inside the legislature.

In addition to the provisions concerning Pride marches, the amendment codifies previously stated definitions regarding gender, explicitly recognizing only two sexes. In a statement, the government said this clarifies that laws around sex and gender are based on biological realities rather than self-identification.

Further provisions in the amendment include a right to cash payments, a right to community self-defense, powers to strip dual nationals working for foreign powers of their Hungarian citizenship, and an explicit ban on the production and promotion of narcotics.

This is the 15th amendment to the constitution penned by an Orban government since 2011. This reflects his party’s strong, sustained mandate from the Hungarian electorate, which is necessary for constitutional amendments to pass.

Image by Annika Haas (EU2017EE).

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