Full Breakdown
New Hungarian Government Allows Budapest Pride March After Legal Reversals
By Drooid · · How we work
Return of the Pride Parade
Tens of thousands of participants marched in Budapest’s annual Pride event on Saturday, marking the first large-scale LGBTQ demonstration in the capital since the 2025 ban was lifted. The police announced that the march would proceed without restrictions, and the crowd moved through the city’s main avenues despite the recent history of prohibitions.
Legal and Political Background
In 2025 the Hungarian parliament enacted a law that barred Pride events and authorized facial-recognition technology to identify participants. That year’s constitutional amendment further prohibited public LGBTQ gatherings. More than 100,000 people defied the ban in the 2025 parade, turning it into one of the biggest protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had led the Fidesz-KDNP coalition since 2010.
The political landscape shifted when Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party ousted Orbán’s coalition in the elections held on April 12, bringing Péter Maygar to the premiership. Shortly after Orbán’s departure, the European Union’s top court, the EU Court of Justice, struck down Hungary’s 2021 anti-LGBTQ propaganda law, signaling EU pressure on the country’s LGBTQ policies.
Official Responses
Hungarian police confirmed in the month preceding the march that authorities would not impose restrictions on the event. In addition, the government dropped criminal charges against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony for his role in organizing the 2025 Pride parade, and similarly cleared Géza Buzás-Hábel, the organizer of a 2025 Pride gathering in the border city of Pécs.
Impact and Significance
The unrestricted march illustrates a tangible policy shift under the new administration, moving away from the restrictive measures of the previous government. The EU Court’s ruling and the dismissal of charges against local organizers demonstrate a re-alignment with European Union standards on freedom of assembly and non-discrimination, suggesting a broader opening for LGBTQ visibility in Hungary.