Hungarian lawmakers approved a new constitution Monday that was blasted by rights groups and the political opposition for measures considered extremely conservative.
Some of the changes to the current constitution include:
- Ban on same-sex marriage
- Protects life of a fetus from conception opening the possibility to future ban or restriction on abortion
- Ban on discrimination does not include age or sexual orientation
- Tax and pension law changes require a two-thirds majority
“We’ve just participated in a historical moment,” parliamentary speaker Laszlo Kover said moments after the bill was approved 262-44. “The new constitution is built upon our past and traditions, but seeks and contains answers to current problems while keeping an eye on the future.”
Hungary’s current constitution dates from 1949, near the start of the communist regime but it was almost fully rewritten during the 1989 transition to democracy.
