The Hungarian prosecution on Thursday dropped criminal charges against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony over his role in organizing the 2025 Pride march, after the European Court of Justice ruled that a Fidesz-backed “child protection” law used to justify the ban violated EU law. The decision, confirmed by multiple outlets , means the factual basis for the indictment no longer constitutes a crime, effectively ending the case.
The ECJ’s Grand Chamber found on 15 May 2026 that several provisions of Hungary’s 2021 “child protection” statute breach EU law by disproportionately restricting fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly and non-discrimination. Because the Pride march was banned under that law, prosecutors in Budapest concluded the original charges against Karácsony—who had publicly defied the ban—could no longer stand. The move follows a similar dismissal earlier on Thursday for Géza Buzás-Hábel, a Pride organizer in Pécs, whose case was also dropped once the Budapest indictment collapsed .
Karácsony, a prominent opposition figure and former co-chair of the Momentum party, welcomed the decision. “The European Court has confirmed what we have always said: the government’s so-called child protection law is a political weapon, not a legal shield,” he told reporters outside City Hall. His lawyer, Dalma Dojcsák, said the ruling sets a precedent that could affect other cases targeting LGBTQ+ events across Hungary.
The development comes as the European Commission prepares infringement proceedings against Budapest for systemic breaches of EU values. A Commission spokesperson said Thursday that the executive would “assess the implications of the ECJ judgment for the broader legal framework in Hungary” and consider further action if necessary.
Meanwhile, in a separate high-stakes case, Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice is expected to rule today on whether to proceed to trial in the alleged coup plot involving businessman Călin Georgescu and influencer Horațiu Potra. The court is reviewing the legality of the indictment filed by the General Prosecutor’s Office, which accuses 22 defendants—including Georgescu and Potra—of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order . Legal analysts say the court’s decision could determine whether the case moves forward or is sent back for further investigation.
The two cases—one ending in Hungary, the other hanging in the balance in Romania—highlight the growing role of EU courts in constraining illiberal policies across Central and Eastern Europe.