Budapest Mayor Faces Police Investigation Over LGBTQ+ Pride Support
Authorities Summon Gergely Karacsony Over Pride Parade Decision
Budapest’s Green Party mayor, Gergely Karacsony, is under investigation by Hungarian police after moving ahead with the LGBTQ+ Pride Parade on June 28, 2025, defying a national ban. His office confirmed the police summons to AFP, noting it followed his endorsement of the event despite a government crackdown on demonstrations supporting LGBTQ+ rights. The restrictions, introduced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration, prohibit public expressions and events that promote LGBTQ+ identities. Responding to the investigation, Karacsony wrote on Facebook: “Now I’m officially a suspect. If this is the cost of standing up for freedom in our country, I wear it as a badge of honor.”
Record-Breaking Turnout Amid Crackdown
Despite the threat of legal consequences, the Pride Parade drew more than 200,000 participants—making it the largest in Budapest’s history. The massive turnout comes amid growing tensions over LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, with the European Commission criticizing recent developments as a serious erosion of civil freedoms. A new law that came into effect in March criminalizes public events that could “expose” minors to LGBTQ+ content, under the pretext of child protection, further intensifying the situation.
Mayor Defends Pride as Local Civic Event
Authorities initially barred the parade, citing the recently passed legislation and warning that organizing or taking part in the event could lead to up to one year in prison. In response, Mayor Karacsony argued that the Pride Parade was a “municipally sanctioned event” and therefore not subject to the national restrictions. Although attendees faced potential fines of up to €500, police ultimately refrained from enforcing penalties, citing “legal uncertainty.” A later statement from law enforcement acknowledged, “Participants may have genuinely believed they were acting within legal boundaries.”
Orbán Accuses Brussels of Influencing LGBTQ+ Movement
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sharply criticized the Pride Parade, calling it a “disgrace” and suggesting that it served foreign interests. He accused opposition figures of carrying out “Brussels’ agenda” and portrayed the demonstration as an attempt to undermine national values. His government described the event as an ideological push from abroad, warning of legal repercussions and framing the movement as driven by external political forces imposing so-called “woke” ideology on Hungary.
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