EPP backs Slovak party despite leader’s anti‐LGBT remarks

The centre-right group in the European Parliament, the European People’s Party (EPP), has given its blessing to its Slovak member KDH ahead of snap elections in the country, despite its leader Milan Majersk calling LGBTI ‘ideology’ a ´scourge´ and as harmful to Slovakia as corruption.

Majerský’s comments came in response to an audience question in a pre-election TV debate ahead of snap elections scheduled for 30 September, in which the Christian Democrats par KDH are polling close to the 5% threshold.

“Both are the misfortune of any country, not just Slovakia – both corruption and LGBTI. They are scourges that are destroying the country. Any country,“ said Majerský.

After a wave of criticism and immediate calls for apology, Majerský clarified on social media that he meant LGBTI “ideology“, not people.

Andrea Letanovská, leader of Demokrati, another EPP-affiliated party from Slovakia, also echoed the criticism, reminding that “hateful words can kill”, as two young people were shot dead in a terrorist attack outside the Tepláreň gay bar last October.

“To hear this from someone who stands for democratic and Christian values, from someone who is supposed to love his neighbour, it is very sad indeed,” said Letanovská.

When asked for comment, the EPP group said it fully respects and protects the rights of all citizens but added words of support for its Slovak member parties.

“We acknowledge that Slovakia is in the election campaign before the September 30 snap elections, and we wish all our member parties much success,” reads the EPP Group’s statement to EURACTIV Slovakia.

KDH is not the only EPP-affiliated party from Slovakia with a history of hateful language towards the LGBTI community.

Igor Matovič, the leader of the EPP-affiliated OĽaNO party, for example, won the Homophobe of the Year award in 2022 and has been nominated for the award again for his use of transphobic rhetoric and disruption of a trans rights rally in May.

The EPP party said it does not comment on national debates during ongoing electoral campaigns. It added that in March of 2023, it welcomed the European centre-right LGBT + Alliance as an associate entity and endorsed its objectives.

(Barbara Zmušková | EURACTIV.sk)