Ágnes Forsthoffer has had enough of humiliating remarks about women

Hungary’s parliamentary speaker has called for an end to remarks that demean women lawmakers because of their appearance or identity. “This is what Péter Magyar brought into our parliament, shame and disgrace!” she said, adding that if she faced similar verbal abuse again, she would not remain silent and would leave the chamber once more.

The article recalls a confrontation involving Péter Magyar and Barbara Hegedűs. After a speech by the Fidesz lawmaker, Magyar shouted at her without using a microphone, among other things: “What kind of mother are you?” Hegedűs later asked female politicians from the Tisza party how long they would continue to tolerate such treatment.

“

This is what Péter Magyar brought into our parliament, shame and disgrace!

The report also focuses on Education and Child Affairs Minister Judit Lannert’s criticism of a ministerial and state secretary’s office used by Katalin Novák and Zsófia Koncz. In a Facebook video posted in August, Lannert highlighted the adjoining bathroom, shower, wardrobe, makeup mirror and hairdryer.

“

What kind of mother are you?

She argued that the office reflected a period when women in the Fidesz era were viewed mainly as representatives and not as people expected to perform serious work. The video, however, drew criticism even from some Tisza supporters. Some called it crude populist provocation and questioned how it would improve education. Others said Lannert had presented the office after 100 days while offering little information about her professional plans.

One commenter called the presentation “already extremely forced” and asked whether the minister was looking for intimacy in the office. Others said the bathroom video was an attempt to divert attention from Lannert’s performance during her first months. Reporter Dániel Bohár noted that even some commenters on 444 had criticized the minister’s action.

“

Already extremely forced, is she really looking for intimacy in the office?