Budapest Pride 2025 Draws Over 200,000 in Defiance of Government Ban
In a powerful show of solidarity, more than 200,000 people marched through the streets of Budapest during Budapest Pride 2025, standing up to a ban enforced by the Hungarian government. The demonstration went ahead despite Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s warnings of possible “legal consequences” for participants. The mass turnout reflected defiance against government policies that many have called discriminatory towards LGBTQIA+ communities, and underscored the resilience and unity of the movement.
Budapest Mayor Faces Police Probe for Supporting Pride
Green Party Mayor Gergely Karácsony is now under investigation after openly supporting the parade. On August 1st, he was called in for police questioning, accused of “inciting participation” in a banned event—an act that could lead to up to a year in prison under Hungarian law. The 50-year-old mayor arrived at the station wearing a T-shirt featuring a rainbow symbol, making a public statement that he fully accepts responsibility for his role in the march.
Mayor Defends Actions Amid Growing Public Backing
While being questioned, Karácsony declined to answer specific inquiries but delivered a formal statement stressing his belief that the inquiry was politically driven. To counter the government’s ban, he had officially reclassified the Pride event as a “municipal event,” using a legal mechanism to counter national restrictions on public gatherings. As he gave his statement, hundreds of citizens gathered outside the police station, offering visible support and applauding his efforts to protect LGBTQIA+ rights.
EU Criticizes Hungary’s Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies
The Hungarian government continues to defend its clampdown on LGBTQIA+ events under the pretext of “child protection”—a stance that has triggered mounting criticism from European authorities. The European Commission has expressed grave concern over these developments, citing violations of basic human rights and Hungary’s commitments as a European Union member since 2004. In its latest annual rule-of-law report, the Commission stated that Hungary has shown “no progress,” prompting the EU to freeze €18 billion in funding to the country.
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