Orbán warns of 'legal consequences' over banned Budapest Pride march
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has warned on Friday that anyone involved in this weekend's banned Pride of Budapest march will face "legal consequences".
Claiming the move was needed to protect children, Orbán's conservative government passed legislation earlier this year that allows police to prohibit public LGBTQ+ events.
Despite the ban, Budapest's liberal Mayor Gergely Karácsony has vowed to go ahead with the Pride march in the Hungarian capital on Saturday.
Speaking to Euronews, Karácsony claimed the event was "perfectly legal".
"The Hungarian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Assembly Act, which means that Pride, which is covered by the Assembly Act, was not authorised by the police," Karácsony explained.
"However, we're instead organising a municipal event, which is not covered by this law. The municipality is inviting the people of Budapest to another event in its own public spaces, organised by itself, so it is perfectly legal."
Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson quickly claimed that the march does fall under the Assembly Act and is therefore prohibited.
Tuzson said that Karácsony could face one year in prison and a fine for organising the event.
Hard-to-dodge fines
Those involved in Saturday's march could also be forced to pay fines.
As well as approving the use of AI-powered facial recognition to identify people at banned events, Orbán's party, Fidesz, has streamlined the process of issuing them with financial penalties.
Kristóf András Kádár, the co-president of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights organisation, told Euronews that the Budapest mayor has a strong legal case, but that participants may still be fined.
"I think that ultimately the reduction or cancellation of the fine can be achieved through different legal procedures," Kádár said, "But at least temporarily they need to be paid."
Fines are not the only concern. There is also a growing fear that violence from other groups could pose a serious threat to Pride participants.
Hungarian police have authorised the counter-demonstration of the far-right Our Homeland (Mi Hazánk), which is set to partially overlap with the planned route of Budapest Pride.
Orbán has urged people this week not to take part in the Budapest Pride march.
"If someone does something like this, then there is a clear legal procedure, which must be followed", Orbán said.
"But we are a civilised country, we don't hurt each other, we've never had a civil war here, maybe a little bit in '56, but we don't hurt each other even if we don't agree. It's not part of Hungarian political culture," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euronews
35 minutes ago
- Euronews
Massive Pride march in Budapest in defiance of ban
Well over a hundred thousand people marched in the Budapest Pride march organised by the NGO Rainbow Mission and city hall, despite the government's ban, standing up for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community as well as for freedom of assembly, and against the Hungarian government's policies. In the spring, the Hungarian ruling parties attempted to ban the annual regular human rights march of the LGBTQ community through a series of constitutional and legislative amendments on the grounds that it violates the rights of children, which they have put above other fundamental rights by amending the constitution. The police rejected the application for a permit by the NGOs that usually organise Pride in the past, at which time the Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, announced that another event, the Budapest Pride march, would be held as a municipal event, because the municipality is not subject to the law on assembly and therefore, according to their interpretation of the law, does not need to apply for a permit to hold the event. The police called the event illegal and warned that participants could face fines and organisers up to one year in prison. Despite this, a huge crowd turned out. "I feel we have to stand up now, if we don't speak out now we may never have the chance to do so again," one participant told Euronews. "We're not that political, we really just want to be free, and this is how we can be free, by coming out and standing up for ourselves," a young couple told us. Counter-protesters few in number and on the wrong bridge There was concern before the event that police had allowed counter-demonstrations by several far-right groups on the route of the march, but in the event, they were separated from the Pride march and their presence did not cause any disruption. Although the Our Homeland counter-demonstrators blocked the Freedom Bridge on the original route of the march, they were surrounded by police on both sides while Pride participants crossed the Elisabeth Bridge. "What is happening here is completely illegal, it is endangering the healthy development of children, and I find it very sad that the police are not stopping this process," Tamás Gaudi-Nagy, executive director of the National Legal Defence Service, told Euronews. "While the national radical organisations have been restricted in their demonstrations, as they have been for many years, the protesters of Our Homeland have not been allowed to cross the Liberty Bridge." Mayor Karácsony: Budapest 'capital of Europe for the day' The march was joined by more than 70 members of the European Parliament and several mayors from various European capitals. One of the organisers of the event, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony, who has been threatened with jail by the Hungarian government's justice minister, said in his speech: "If you can ban a Pride event in a European Union member state, then no mayor in Europe is safe, and today, by so many of you coming, you have made Budapest the capital of Europe for this day." Karácsony said that the participants "showed a big gesture to the powers that be", while at the same time he also took a swipe at Péter Magyar, the leader of the strongest opposition party, Tisza, who did not participate in the march and only cautiously posted a message of support on social media without mentioning the name of the event. The mayor said that they would not vote for just anyone in the election against the powers that be. They will support whoever they can rightly expect to make Hungary their common home again. According to the police, to whom Karácsony nevertheless gave special thanks, they had a lot of trouble with what they thought was an illegal gathering, and blamed the organisers for not co-operating with them. However, by 20:00, a total of only 36 people had been stopped and only two people had been arrested - one for hooliganism and one for possession of drugs - meaning that Budapest Pride ended with literally no major incidents.
Euronews
11 hours ago
- Euronews
Tens of thousands gather to mark Budapest Pride despite Orban ban
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hungary's capital on Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride, defying a government-imposed ban on the event. Among the crowd were members of the European Parliament, international supporters, and many so-called "first priders". Following the ban, Budapest Pride has taken on new meaning, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance against the government's ongoing restrictions on freedom of assembly and human rights, according to participants on Saturday. Euronews journalists on the ground spoke with several attendees who said they had previously been indifferent — or even opposed — to Pride events, but chose to participate this year to stand up for civil liberties and show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was also in Budapest for the Pride march. In a video posted to her Instagram, she accused Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of making a desperate attempt to ban the event. Thunberg described Pride as both a protest and a celebration of love, calling the ban "another fascist attack on human rights." Pride banned, far-right march allowed While Pride was officially banned, police allowed a far-right march to go ahead. The far-right 64 Counties Youth Movement held an event on the same square in Budapest where Pride participants later gathered. Meanwhile, the Our Homeland Movement—a small far-right parliamentary party—announced a counter-march along the same route as the municipal Pride event. Both far-right events received police approval. Pride without the main opposition leader Peter Magyar is currently on holiday with his three sons. However, the leader of Hungary's main opposition party TISZA posted a strong message of support on Facebook, saying: "We build a country together, with all Hungarians, where it does not matter where you come from, what you believe in, who you love." "I call all police officers to protect all Hungarian citizens from the arbitrariness of a fallen power." Speculation circulated as to the "real" reason why he missed Pride. However, Magyar explained it is because his sons play football, so they had to organise their family holiday around summer sports camps. Political analysts had warned that by banning Pride, Orbán was likely attempting to provoke Magyar. The party's support base is diverse, bringing together people from across the political spectrum. Magyar has repeatedly emphasised that he aims to represent all Hungarians, not just one ideological side. For Fidesz, forcing Magyar to take a clearer stance on liberal issues—such as LGBTQ+ rights—could be politically advantageous. 'Pride is already a success for Fidesz,' political analyst Zoltán Novák told Euronews, 'because they've managed to make the public debate revolve around an issue they own, framed in their language, and on a political topic where they enjoy majority support.' As Fidesz continues to lose ground to its centre-right rival, the TISZA, it has struggled to counter its challenger's strategy. His campaign has focused squarely on the everyday concerns of Hungarians—rising economic hardship, and the deteriorating state of healthcare and education—while contrasting them with the corruption scandals and growing wealth of the Fidesz elite, including members of Orbán's family. This approach has triggered a sharp shift in public opinion. According to the latest poll by the reputable Median Institute, TISZA is now ahead of Fidesz by 15%. Meanwhile, government-aligned pollsters—normally active and vocal—have fallen into an unusual silence. TISZA's Magyar—formerly married to Fidesz's ex-justice minister—has deliberately avoided polarising political issues such as LGBTQ+ rights or topics that fail to resonate broadly with voters, like press freedom. Instead, he has focused on pressing, everyday concerns, including inflation, corruption, the state of healthcare, and failing infrastructure, such as Hungary's rail system. According to political analyst Zoltán Novák, Fidesz introduced the so-called "Pride laws" in an attempt to corner Magyar into taking a stance that could alienate either conservative or liberal voters. While Magyar successfully sidestepped the trap, remnants of the liberal-green opposition stepped in to defend the issue, allowing Fidesz to partially regain control of the political narrative.
Euronews
14 hours ago
- Euronews
Commissioner and MEPs in Budapest to challenge Orban's Pride ban
Around 70 MEPs from the liberal, green and left wing of the European Parliament joined the Belgian equality commissioner in Budapest on Saturday afternoon, as thousands of protestors marched through the Hungarian capital, waving rainbow and EU flags. The MEPs were primarily from the liberal Renew Europe, Socialists & Democrats, the Left and Greens groups, joined by one Irish European People's Party (EPP) MEP, Maria Walsh. Tens of thousands joined the march, with organisers claiming as many as 200,000 were on the streets. 'Long before I got into politics, and long before I leave, I'll be showing up for Pride. For me and for my values, Pride is incredibly important. I only wish more were here, but I joined together with over 70 other MEPs from across political parties,' Walsh told Euronews. 'It's not about one party versus the other party. It's about one human being showing up for another,' she added, when quizzed on the fact that there was no EPP delegation with her. 'I would have preferred that more EPP people would have joined the event. I think it's disappointing because this is an important mobilisation,' the President of Renew Europe, Valérie Hayer, told Euronews. 'We have noted, since the start of this term, that the EPP is wavering between the democratic forces and the extreme right. It's a pity that the EPP doesn't understand who their adversaries are," said French socialist MEP Emma Rafowicz. A notable EPP absence was Hungarian opposition leader and MEP Peter Magyar. His centre-right party Tisza party is currently leading the governing Fidesz party in opinion polls for the 2026 parliamentary election. Magyar was not in Budapest, avoiding taking a stance of the issue of the thorny issue of the Pride march, which a recent survey indicated divides opinion in the country, with 47% of Hungarians opposed to it taking place. However, earlier in the day he called for a peaceful protest. 'I ask everyone not to fall for any provocation. If anyone gets hurt today in Budapest, if anyone comes to harm, Viktor Orbán alone will be responsible,' Magyar posted to his social platforms. European Commissioner for equality Hadja Lahbib held meetings with local civil society organisations on Friday. However, she did not show up at the march, telling Euronews that she instead would be attending meetings in the city. Risking fines and jail time In March, the Hungarian parliament approved a bill that in effect banned the gay pride march. As the legislation states, this event could violate Hungary's so-called child protection law, adopted earlier in the country, prohibiting any portrayal of same sex relationships for minors. The European Commission views this as a violation of its community law and has referred the case to the European Court of Justice. Conservative and far-right MEPs in the European Parliament defended Orbán's move to ban Pride events, saying the EU should not interfere in Hungary's internal affairs. However, the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony from the Green party, allowed the parade to go ahead by re-labeling it as a 'Day of Freedom' celebration, officially organized by the city council. This legal loophole allowed the thousands of people to march through the streets of Budapest in sweltering heat, protesting not just the ban Pride ban, but Viktor Orban's government generally. Alongside pride flags and the loud music, there were banners displaying the prime minister. 'I am not a big fan of Pride events, but this extends beyond Pride. This is about freedom too, because Hungary, a European Union country, banning Pride, is simply not on," one attendee told Euronews of his motivations for attending. Security was tight, with security cameras installed on lamp posts in the city centre and hundreds of police officers deployed at key spots of the parade, keeping watch over protesters and ensuring there were no clashes. Attendees were warned by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice that parade organisers risked up to a year in prison, and that those marching could be fined €500. The police have been encouraged by the government to use facial recognition technology to identify the attendees, although Karácsony insists that nobody will face punishment for their participation in the march. Anti-LGBT protesters also assembled in Budapest The nationalist 64 Counties Youth Movement held a legally sanctioned event on the same square in Budapest where Pride participants later gathered. Meanwhile, the Our Homeland Movement, a small far-right parliamentary party, organised a police-approved counter-march along the same route as the municipal Pride event. However, during the day the far-right protest was blocked by a strong police presence to avoid conflict. No major incidents were reported by the evening, although Euronews witnessed a confrontation between a small group of the 64 Counties Youth Movement – holding a banner comparing LGBT people to paedophiles and the Pride March. 'We are here because we want to warn the people of Hungary about the LGBT paedophilia, it is a really danger for our children,' one anti-LGBT protester told Euronews. Another anti-Pride protester tried to stop the march by standing in front of the truck leading the parade. He was jeered by the crowd and removed by the police.
