Hungarian police ban Budapest Pride march

The Budapest Pride march, scheduled for June 28, has been officially banned by Hungarian police, according to a statement issued on Thursday. This ban is rooted in legislation passed by Hungary's parliament earlier in March, which allows police to prohibit LGBTQ marches under the pretext of protecting children. The ruling right-wing Fidesz Party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, holds a significant majority in parliament, and their recent actions reflect a broader agenda aimed at restricting the rights of the LGBTQ community in Hungary. The police's decision to ban the event highlights the growing tension between the government and LGBTQ advocates, especially in light of the upcoming 2026 elections, where Orban's administration faces a challenge from a rising opposition party. The government's conservative, Christian agenda has increasingly targeted LGBTQ rights, appealing to its base of voters primarily in rural areas of the country.

In a bid to counteract the police ban, Budapest's liberal mayor, Gergely Karacsony, announced that the Pride march would proceed as a municipal event, thereby arguing that no permits from authorities were necessary. However, the police maintained that the law still applied to the event, leading to a contentious standoff. Mayor Karacsony countered the police's position by claiming that the ban is irrelevant since authorities were not officially notified of the event plans. He expressed confidence that the Budapest Pride Freedom Celebration would go ahead as planned, anticipating that tens of thousands of people would participate in the protest. This situation underscores the ongoing struggle between local governance and national legislation regarding LGBTQ rights in Hungary, as well as the potential for significant public mobilization as the country approaches a pivotal electoral moment.