Slovak coalition MP wants to ban rainbow flags on state-owned buildings

Rainbow flags should be banned from state-owned buildings according to a proposal from György Gyimesi from the ruling OĽaNO party and a former member of a far-right party.

Gyimesi did not inform his party colleagues about the proposal, saying “there was no time”.

The ruling OĽaNO coalition includes conservatives in its parliamentary ranks and some liberal members, yet even the most conservative MPs from the biggest coalition party said they did not know about the proposal.

“It was surprising to us that he tabled it. We are all angry,” said Monika Kozelová, another National Council member from OĽaNO.

“He didn’t discuss it with anyone, and it took us all by surprise,” confirmed Andrej Stančík, one of the more liberal MPs from OĽaNO.

Prime Minister Eduard Heger waited for his response until Monday, although the proposal was tabled on Friday. He called on Gyimesi to withdraw the proposal and accused him of polarising society and breaking the coalition agreement.

Gyimesi is, however, backed by former Prime Minister and current Finance Minister Igor Matovič, who recently accused the media of criticising him “because he is not LGBTI”.

Meanwhile, Gyimesi joined forces in drafting the bill with Tomáš Taraba, an ex-member of the far-right People’s Party Our Slovakia.

Gyimesi and Taraba propose that state authorities and schools should be prohibited from placing “symbols of movements, organisations, communities and ideologies promoting any kind of sexual orientation” on or in buildings. Violation of the law would be punishable by a fine of up to €7,000.