France, April 15 -- Hungary's parliament passed a constitutional amendment permitting the government to ban public events organised by LGBTQ+ communities - a move that legal scholars and critics describe as yet another step towards authoritarianism by the populist government.

The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Ahead of the vote, the final step for the amendment, opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together.

The am...