Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony has been questioned by police after defying Hungary’s controversial Pride ban, marching alongside tens of thousands at what became the country’s largest-ever LGBTQ+ demonstration.
On 1 August, Karácsony appeared at Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation, where he was questioned over allegations that he helped organise a Pride event, in breach of a new law passed by the right-wing Fidesz government under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Outside the building, the mayor addressed around 200 supporters and remained defiant in the face of potential legal consequences.
“A month ago at Budapest Pride, very, very many of us told the whole world that neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest,” Karácsony said.
“And if it cannot be banned, then it cannot be punished.”
Pride Banned, But the People Showed Up
In March 2025, Orbán’s government enacted a law banning Pride marches across Hungary, citing the supposed threat of LGBTQ+ “propaganda” to minors. The law introduced fines of up to 200,000 forints (NZD$850) for anyone organising or attending such events, and drew widespread condemnation from human rights groups and EU lawmakers.
But on 28 June, tens of thousands flooded the streets of Budapest in defiance of the law, including Karácsony himself, who had earlier announced that Budapest Pride would go ahead, regardless of the government’s stance.
“Freedom and love cannot be banned,” he declared.
Hungary’s Largest-Ever Pride March
Despite official threats, Budapest Pride 2025 shattered expectations. Organisers initially anticipated around 35,000–40,000 attendees, but actual numbers far surpassed that estimate, making it the largest Pride in Hungary’s history.
Opposition leader Péter Magyar, head of the TISZA party, mocked Orbán on social media, saying the Prime Minister had ironically become the “king of Pride” in Europe by fuelling the massive turnout with his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
“Viktor Orbán became the king of Pride in Europe yesterday,” Magyar wrote,
“because no one else has ever managed to mobilise such a large crowd for a demonstration against himself by inciting hatred.”
Global Eyes on Hungary’s LGBTQ+ Crackdown
Orbán, who has ruled Hungary since 2010, has faced growing backlash for his government’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance — which includes banning content “promoting” homosexuality to minors, suppressing LGBTQ+ education in schools, and now outlawing Pride marches.
Budapest Pride’s overwhelming turnout sent a clear message: Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community — and its allies — refuse to be silenced.
