Budapest Mayor Vows to Defy Police Ban on Upcoming Pride March
The mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, has pledged to move forward with the city’s Pride march scheduled for next weekend, asserting that he will develop a contingency plan even if law enforcement enforces a government-mandated ban. Hungarian police announced on Thursday that they would prohibit the main Pride event in the capital, referencing recent legislation passed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration which restricts the promotion of same-sex relationships to individuals under 18.
The police, invoking their authority over public assemblies, stated that they are to bar the march from occurring at the planned time and location. However, Mayor Karácsony, who has been a prominent critic of the right-leaning government's policies, responded defiantly, declaring that the gathering will proceed regardless of the police's decision. "The police's pronouncement holds no weight because this march does not require official approval; it is a municipal event organized by the city council," he stated on Facebook.
The LGBTQ flag and a Ukrainian flag have been displayed on the city hall building as a show of resistance against a growing wave of rhetoric from Orbán's right-wing Fidesz party. In a recent interview with the Guardian, Karácsony reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the event takes place. "There is currently no law that could ban a municipal event," he said, expressing optimism despite the potential for government intervention. "However, we will develop a plan C if necessary."
Numerous Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), along with leading politicians from various countries—including Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and the mayors of Amsterdam and Brussels—have expressed their intention to participate in the pride event in defiance of the Hungarian government.
Karácsony, who first won a parliamentary seat as a member of a green party in 2010, has particularly highlighted the growing hostility towards Hungary's LGBTQ community under Orbán’s leadership. Since the return of Orbán to power, a series of laws deemed to infringe upon the rights of sexual and gender minorities has been enacted under the guise of protecting children, with a recent bill representing the most severe infringement yet.
“I understand that this march is not simply a political gesture. It reflects the values supported by many residents of Budapest,” he stated, emphasizing that his defense of LGBTQ rights is rooted in moral conviction rather than a ploy for political favor. His stance has drawn backlash from Hungary’s increasingly authoritarian regime, with some government officials labeling him an ally of foreign interests.
Despite not being a candidate in the upcoming 2026 elections, where Orbán is anticipated to face his toughest opponent yet, Karácsony is steadfast in his resolve to uphold the rights of those in marginalized communities. "We use power to encourage and support those who need it," he remarked, identifying himself as a sociologist who champions social justice.
The unfolding situation remains uncertain as June 28 approaches. Orbán's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, has stated that the march will indeed fall under the legislative framework that governs assembly rights, and police have warned that any protests against their ban must be filed with Hungary's supreme court within three days. They claim that if it’s not guaranteed that individuals under 18 will not attend, the assembly would inherently violate the restrictions.
With escalating tensions surrounding human rights in Hungary, the Pride march in Budapest emerges as a pivotal moment for both the LGBTQ community and the broader political landscape in the country.
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