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Tens of thousands march in Budapest for first Pride parade in years after ban ends
Tens of thousands march in Budapest Pride parade after years of ban ends
Budapest holds first legal Pride march in years as thousands march in heat
Tens of thousands of Hungarians braved a record heatwave on Saturday to celebrate the first Budapest Pride march in years, marking a symbolic end to Viktor Orbán’s 16-year crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights. The event, held under a scorching 38°C sun, proceeded without police interference after a new government granted the permit—a stark reversal from 2025, when Orbán’s administration banned the parade under a law targeting queer communities .
The march, which began at the Opera House and ended at Vérmező Park, drew participants from across Hungary and Europe, many carrying rainbow and EU flags. Organizers hailed it as a “new era” for LGBTQ+ rights in the country, though the new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, did not attend. His ambiguous stance on queer issues—avoiding the topic during his election campaign and recently stating that “nobody should be stigmatised because of the way they love”—left activists cautious about future policies .
Hungarian police confirmed the event’s legality just minutes before it started, a sharp contrast to last year’s ban. The reversal came after Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony received legal confirmation of the march’s permit, ending months of uncertainty . Despite the extreme heat, participants described the atmosphere as “liberated,” with many celebrating the end of Orbán’s era of restrictions.
EU officials also weighed in, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praising the march as a sign of progress. “All of Europe is proud of Budapest Pride,” she said, adding that the LGBTQ+ community could finally march “without fear” . Meanwhile, Belgium’s EU Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, attended the event and met with members of Hungary’s new government to discuss LGBTQ+ rights.
The march’s success came despite lingering legal uncertainties. A 2025 law used to ban the parade remains in place, though authorities this year allowed the event to proceed. Organizers warned that the fight for full equality is far from over, with some activists vowing to return to the streets if the new government fails to deliver on promises .
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