The European Parliament elections have been held, and based on the results a new Commission and a new direction for the European Union are being formed. To secure a sufficient majority, European leaders are currently engaged in fierce horse-trading over the next Commission’s programme. It is absolutely essential that the rights of gender and sexual minorities do not become bargaining chips in this political wrangling — instead, everyone must commit unwaveringly to defending each person’s right to live and love in their own way.
The state of gender and sexual minority rights in Europe has been worryingly poor in several countries in recent years. In Poland, the Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość), which previously governed the country, repeatedly demonised gender and sexual minorities and pushed for so-called “LGBT-free zones”. Meanwhile, Italy’s current ruling party, Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia), has attacked rainbow families, among other things by restricting the recognition of parents of children born through surrogacy.
Despite these parties’ shameless attacks on the rights of gender and sexual minorities, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s policies on the rule of law. JEF Finland considers it disgraceful how little value the Commission President appears to place on the state of gender and sexual minority rights in Europe.
When the next Commission’s programme is drawn up, one thing must be clear: LGBTIQ rights must not be the subject of any compromise or concession! “This isn’t just about politics — it’s about core human rights,” declares JEF Finland Vice President Nea Baarman. At the heart of Europe’s values is everyone’s right to live as themselves, and JEF Finland demands that every European politician, from MEPs to Commissioners, commit to this principle.
Further information:
Nea Baarman
Political Vice President
[email protected]