Budapest mayor faces prosecution over banned Pride march

The legal action centres on the June 28 event in the Hungarian capital that drew tens of thousands of participants, turning what was planned as a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights into one of the largest public demonstrations in years against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. Karácsony, a prominent opposition figure and long-time advocate for civil liberties, called the mobilisation a defence of fundamental freedoms, asserting at the time that city residents and supporters would march “no matter what.”

Prosecutors argue Karácsony failed to heed a police order issued under legislation adopted by Hungary’s parliament in March 2025, which blanket-banned Pride marches on the grounds of so-called child protection and curbs on the promotion of gender or sexual identities. Police had rejected the organisers’ request to hold the Budapest Pride, stating the planned gathering could not rule out participation by minors, which authorities said would contravene the new law.

Karácsony and his supporters insisted the march was lawful by designating it as a municipal event exempt from police approval requirements, a legal interpretation that was not recognised by law enforcement. Despite the ban, the march went ahead with no mass arrests, and participants – from Hungary and abroad – gathered along the Danube and central boulevards of the city.

Under the proposed penal order, the chief prosecutor’s office wants a financial penalty imposed on Karácsony rather than pursuing a full trial, a mechanism that critics say curtails due process. The charges allege he “organised and led a public assembly” in breach of the police order, a finding that could set a significant precedent for municipal authority and protest rights in Hungary’s highly charged political climate.

Karácsony’s office responded to the indictment with defiance, framing his actions as part of a broader struggle for democratic norms in Hungary. He described himself as a “proud defendant” willing to face the legal consequences for defending what he characterised as basic freedoms of expression and assembly. His remarks highlighted the widening divide between Hungary’s opposition-led local governments and the central administration.

The controversy has drawn reactions across Europe, with mayors, legislators and civil society figures voicing support for Karácsony and condemning the prosecution as an assault on democratic rights. Some European politicians have underscored the march’s significance not only for LGBTQ+ rights but also as a barometer of civic space under the Orbán administration’s tenure.

Orban’s government has defended the banned Pride law as a necessary measure to protect children’s moral development, a stance that resonates with its conservative base but has been widely criticised by rights advocates and international officials as repressive. The legislation dovetails with other restrictive measures passed by the ruling faction in recent years, including wider bans on LGBTQ+ content and tighter controls on public assemblies.

Analysts point out that the prosecution comes as national elections loom, with Orban’s nationalist administration seeking to consolidate support amid rising opposition momentum. The Pride march itself, which drew a broad cross-section of civil society and foreign dignitaries, has been interpreted by many observers as reflecting deeper societal discontent with government policies beyond issues of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The legal challenge against Karácsony has also sparked debate within Hungary about the balance between public order and fundamental rights. Legal experts note that the use of penal orders to fine elected officials for policy decisions or public gatherings could have chilling effects on local governance and protest culture, intensifying scrutiny of Hungary’s judicial independence and rule of law.