Commissioner Ms Lahbib has outlined a pathway for the European Commission to respond to a citizens' initiative demanding an EU-wide ban on conversion therapy targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals. The initiative, backed by over a million verified signatures, has mobilized diverse stakeholders including LGBTIQ+ communities, advocacy groups, Member States, and institutions. The announcement came in response to a parliamentary question by MEP Thomas Bajada (S&D), who stressed the urgency of concrete EU action following the success of the 'Ban on conversion practices in the European Union' initiative.
Ms Lahbib's response indicates a structured yet measured approach: the Commission began a six-month examination of the citizens' initiative on 17 November 2025, with a formal answer promised by 18 May 2026. The reply highlights the 2026-2030 LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy, which includes a study focusing on the scale, characteristics, and consequences of conversion practices across the EU. Crucially, Ms Lahbib commits to engaging Member States, civil society, and stakeholders through an expert group, suggesting a collaborative, bottom-up orientation. However, concrete proposals such as binding EU-wide legal prohibitions, fixed deadlines beyond the consultation period, or dedicated budget allocations are not detailed.
This development follows Ms Lahbib's earlier signals on LGBTIQ+ rights amid legal conflicts in Hungary. On 10 April 2026, she responded to a parliamentary question from a broad coalition of MEPs, expressing support for LGBTIQ+ rights and emphasizing ongoing infringement proceedings against Hungary over its 'Child Protection' law and sovereignty law amendments affecting freedom of assembly. That response confirmed the Commission's active assessment of Hungarian legislation's compliance with EU law and its pursuit of expedited legal action since 2022 and 2024. The current initiative on conversion therapy broadens the Commission's engagement with LGBTIQ+ issues, adding a new dimension to its oversight role.
Policy direction points to strengthening EU oversight while emphasizing Member State centrality. This stance balances increasing EU-level attention to human rights issues against respecting national sovereignty in implementing prohibitions. The Commission's inclination to prioritize support over direct imposition may moderate regulatory impacts and suggests a nuanced stance on EU integration in social policy matters. Impacted parties include LGBTIQ+ individuals, who stand to benefit from stronger protections; Member States facing administrative and political challenges as national laws are revisited; civil society organizations gaining enhanced consultation roles; and health practitioners associated with conversion practices facing tightening scrutiny. Following the Commission's six-month review, expected by mid-May 2026, institutional stakeholders and the public will closely observe the chosen course, which will signal the EU's commitment level to prohibiting conversion practices and the balance between EU-wide policy coherence and Member State autonomy.
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