EU flag displayed on building of Hungarian Parliament again

The first act of Ágnes Forsthoffer after taking office as House Speaker at the Hungarian Parliament on Saturday was to have the flag of the European Union returned to the building’s facade after 12 years. Neither Fidesz, nor the KDNP (Christian Democratic People’s Party), nor Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) applauded her announcement. Forsthoffer noted that the return of the flag was a symbolic step indicating that “we will once again be respected members of the European Union” —she also pointed out that 22 years ago Hungarians said yes to joining the EU, which the flag also signifies.

This wasn't the new Hungarian administration's first symbolic gesture toward the European Union: in addition to the Hungarian and Székely (Szekler) anthem, the unofficial anthem of the Hungarian Romani and “Ode to Joy” were also played as part of the swearing-in ceremony of the new parliament. Mi Hazánk representatives left the chamber before the anthem of the Hungarian Romani and the European anthem.

Péter Magyar had announced at the end of April that “at the inaugural session of Parliament, the flag of the European Union will be returned to the building’s facade and will be displayed alongside the Hungarian and Székely flags.” The former Speaker of the House, László Kövér did not display the EU flag on the building even in 2024, while Hungary held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union starting July 1, 2024. His justification was that, on the one hand, he was staying true to his principles, and it was not mandatory anyway. Kövér was also the one who ordered the flag to be removed from the building in 2014.