Budapest Pride Defies Ban Amid Government Crackdown

Hungary's LGBTQ+ community is set to hold the Budapest Pride march despite a government ban under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration, which passed legislation allowing police to prohibit such events citing child protection. Orbán warned of legal consequences for organizers and attendees, emphasizing adherence to the law and likening pressure from the European Commission to Soviet-era interference. The ban has sparked international condemnation, with European leaders including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging Hungary to permit the march and protect participants from prosecution. Budapest's liberal mayor has vowed to proceed with the event as a municipal celebration of freedom, attracting support from numerous European officials and activists. The situation has heightened tensions in Budapest, with radical right-wing groups planning counter-demonstrations and activists expressing concern about escalating restrictions under Orbán's government. This defiance highlights the broader clash between Hungary's conservative government and European institutions regarding democratic freedoms and LGBTQ+ rights.