Hungarian police announced on Friday 29 May that they would not ban Budapest Pride, scheduled for 27 June, a reversal of the restrictions imposed under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The 2025 event (see EUROPE 13670/17) had been officially banned, despite the participation of more than 200,000 people, according to the organisers.
Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony had helped to keep the event going by presenting it as a municipal demonstration. This year, nearly two months after the pro-European conservative prime minister, Péter Magyar, came to power following elections in April, the authorities indicated that there was no justification for banning the rally.
On X, Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib welcomed the fact that the march could now take place “without fear”.
The European Green Party also welcomed the decision, its co-chairs, Greek national Vula Tsetsi and Irish national Ciarán Cuffe, describing it as a positive signal for democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary.
On the same day, the new prime minister, Péter Magyar, was in Brussels, where he reached an agreement on reforms and investments intended to pave the way for releasing €16.4 billion in European funds (see EUROPE 13877/1). He also formalised his country’s application to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)