Von der Leyen says Hungary should lift ban and allow Budapest Pride

Brussels/Budapest (dpa) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on Hungarian authorities to lift a ban on the Budapest Pride celebration this weekend, provoking a strong reaction from Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán on Thursday.

“Our Union is one of equality and non-discrimination,” von der Leyen wrote in a statement. “These are our core values, enshrined in our Treaties. They must be respected at all times, in all Member States.”

The EU chief called on Hungarian authorities “to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead without fear of any criminal or administrative sanctions against the organisers or participants,” in the statement published on Wednesday.

Orbán hit back at von der Leyen on X on Thursday, writing: “Dear Madam President, I urge the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the law enforcement affairs of Member States, where it has no role to play.”

Hungarian Justice Minister Bence Tuzson has already threatened Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony with a prison sentence of up to one year for his role in organising the event.

Tuzson also wrote to several foreign embassies in Budapest to inform them that Pride was banned.

The ban on the Budapest Pride is based, among other things, on a constitutional amendment that prohibits gatherings where non-heterosexual lifestyles are made visible based on the pretext of child protection.

Mayor Karácsony plans to hold the parade, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors on Saturday, including around 70 MEPs – despite the police ban.

Since 2010, Hungary has been governed by right-wing populist Orbán, who has increasingly employed autocratic methods. His government and the parliamentary majority discriminate against homosexual and transgender people as well as other sexual minorities.

Budapest Pride has been held in the Hungarian capital for 30 years. (June 26)