Hungary’s parliament on April 28 approved the suspension of six opposition lawmakers for their role in the chaotic March 18 session, when they protested against legislation restricting assembly rights, specifically banning Budapest Pride.

This marked the first time since the transition that elected MPs have been banned from the legislative chamber. Furthermore, opposition politicians faced the strict penalties with the liberal Momentum faction leading having to pay HUF24mn (€59,000). The fine on six MPs totalled HUF82mn.

The sanctioned MPs filed appeals, which were dismissed by parliament’s immunity committee. They are now preparing to escalate the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

On March 18, opposition Momentum MPs disrupted the vote from the back benches by setting off smoke flares, playing a recording of the Soviet national anthem and dropping flyers depicting the Russian president and the Hungarian PM kissing into the chamber from the first floor.

House Speaker Laszlo Kover has also filed a criminal complaint against the three MPs using smoke flares, citing disruption of parliamentary proceedings and endangerment of colleagues. He suggested future legislative changes to tighten security rules inside parliament, while framing the crackdown as a defence of democratic norms.

The biggest chaos erupting in Parliament since the regime change did not stop Fidesz from approving the controversial legislation in a fast-track procedure by a wide majority. The bill ostensibly targets Pride events under the guise of child protection, but introduces broader measures that could stifle dissent. The legislation imposes stiff penalties for organisers and participants alike, up to HUF200,000 (€500). The law excludes the possibility of redemption by community service.

Opposition leaders condemned the crackdown. Momentum leader Marton Tompos called it a "historic crime" against democracy, warning that the governing Fidesz party was dismantling the foundations of Hungary’s post-communist transition. "They can expel us, but they cannot silence the truth," he wrote on social media, calling for continued protests on May 1.

Momentum parliamentary group leader Bedo also denounced the ruling party’s supermajority as a "de facto tyranny," warning of Hungary’s "Putinisation" and a drift toward authoritarianism under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Legislation passed last month also broadened the government’s use of facial recognition technology, permitting authorities to monitor individuals for "preventive" purposes, not solely in the context of criminal investigations.

Civil rights groups have condemned the move as a step toward a Chinese-style digital surveillance regime, warning that the ability to remotely track and penalise citizens will chill protest activity without the need for visible police action.