Katalin Lévai

Katalin Lévai (born May 22, 1954 in Budapest) is a Hungarian politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Hungarian Socialist Party, part of the Party of European Socialists.

Lévai is a maverick and social-liberal politician who is willing to use bombastic statements to draw attention to the social and equality issues. In 2003 was named the first minister without portfolio for equal opportunities, and was termed the 'Conscience of the Government'. In 2005 she became a Presidential candidate in Hungary. Due to 'inside issues' the left government in place managed to vote a right wing president, thus her aspirations were unsuccessful.

She is one of the most fervent supporters of same-sex marriage in Hungary. She also works to mainstream gender equality issues at all levels of decision making, for removing obstacles – physical and mental as well – that hinder disabled people in accessing social services as equal citizens, and for effective measures ensuring the social integration of Roma people in Hungary and in the region.