Following the large turnout at the Pride parade in Budapest despite a police ban, the Hungarian government called it a demonstration "on Brussels' orders." "With the Pride, the opposition incited against laws they disliked, mocked Hungary's sovereignty, and with foreign support, tried to impose woke culture on us," government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said on Saturday, referring to the EU.
According to organizers, a record number of up to 200,000 people participated in the rally in the Hungarian capital on Saturday for the rights of gays, lesbians, and other sexual minorities. Dozens of members of the European Parliament also traveled to show their solidarity. During the march, EU flags were waved alongside rainbow flags.
Given the restrictive policies toward sexual minorities in the EU country Hungary, this year's Pride parade had particular political significance. The government of right-wing nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been restricting the rights of LGBTQ people for years.
In mid-March, the Hungarian Parliament passed an amendment banning the annual Pride parade, prohibiting any gatherings that violate Hungary's LGBTQ law. This 2021 law prohibits depictions of homosexuality in front of minors.
Hungarian police finally banned the Pride parade in Budapest a few days ago. However, Budapest's Green Party mayor, Gergely Karacsony, stated that the Pride parade did not require official permission because it was a "municipal event."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen again called on the Hungarian authorities on Friday night to lift the ban on the demonstration so that the organizers would not have to fear punishment. Orban made it clear on Friday that the police would not crack down on the Pride parade. However, participants face a fine of up to 500 euros. In return, the authorities are allowed to use facial recognition technology.
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