The government firmly rejects any LGBTQ propaganda aimed at children and will conduct "a robust campaign" for the national referendum to be held on the issue next year, Antal Rogan, the cabinet chief, said at his annual hearing in parliament's justice committee on Monday.
“The government’s position is clear: everyone should participate in the referendum on the child protection law and answer ‘no’ to all four questions,” he said.
The government does not want to interfere in anyone’s life, as making decisions on sexual identity is a private issue for all adults. But it “most resolutely rejects” LGBTQ propaganda targeted at children, the cabinet chief said.
Rogan said the estimated cost of the referendum was 5 billion forints (EUR 13.6m) if it were held simultaneously with the general election next spring (12 billion forints if it were held separately).
“All reasonable arguments are in favour of a simultaneous vote, but the government is prepared for both eventualities and would provide the required funds to the National Election Office in either case,” he said.
The final date of the referendum will be set by President Janos Ader, he said.
Referring to a government campaign urging Hungarians to take up a booster jab against the
coronavirus, Rogan said: “We’re employing all available means to ensure that 70 percent of those who have been fully vaccinated gets their third jab by the end of January,” he said.
The public information campaign reaching out to as many people as possible as well as personalised messages would be a more effective way of achieving the government’s goal than making vaccination compulsory, he said.
Citing preliminary tests by the national public health centre NNK, Rogan said that the
vaccines in use in Hungary would provide adequate protection against the latest (Omicron) variant of
coronavirus for those vaccinated with a booster jab.
Rogan said that
Pfizer vaccines for the 5-11 age group will arrive in Hungary on Dec. 20, and parents are encouraged to have their kids vaccinated.