Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony remains firm after facing criminal charges for orchestrating his city’s Pride parade last summer, defying Hungarian laws. The authorities have been probing Karacsony since the June 28 event unfolded despite a ban on Pride set by Hungary’s right-wing nationalist government.
Expressing his stance, the mayor remarked, “I transitioned from a proud suspect to a proud defendant,” as posted on his Facebook in response to the situation. He emphasized the perceived necessity to pay the price for defending personal and collective freedoms in the country.
Despite the prohibition, the 2025 Pride parade in Budapest drew hundreds of thousands of participants, protesting against Hungary’s anti-2SLGBTQ+ legislation. Among those present was Ciarán Cuffe from Ireland, serving as the European Green Party’s co-chair, a group to which Karacsony belongs. Reflecting on the event, Cuffe described the march as a powerful experience, highlighting the solidarity and empowerment felt amidst restrictions on freedom of expression in the city and nation.
Karacsony faced charges for arranging an unauthorized gathering despite a ban, as stated by the Budapest Chief Prosecutor’s Office. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, had implemented a law in March 2025 that outlawed Pride activities and permitted the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees. The government argued that Pride events infringed on children’s rights to moral and spiritual development, prioritizing these rights over other fundamental liberties including the right to peaceful assembly.
In an attempt to circumvent the ban, Karacsony registered the Pride march as a municipal function, contending it did not necessitate a permit. However, law enforcement intervened, citing the event as a violation of child protection regulations. Prosecutors accused Karacsony of repeatedly calling on the public to participate in the assembly and leading the gathering against police orders, charges which he did not dispute.
Although the prosecution suggested a fine without a trial, Karacsony expressed his intent to face court proceedings, rejecting the notion of standing up for freedom being deemed criminal in his homeland. Karacsony vowed to resist against threats and punishments, asserting that fighting for freedom was a moral obligation when individuals are let down by their own government.
Cuffe condemned laws restricting freedom of assembly and expression as undemocratic, noting that the Budapest march symbolized not only advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights but also a broader call for democracy. The European Green Party lends support to Karacsony, acknowledging his role as a defender against far-right influences in certain European regions. With Hungary’s upcoming elections on April 12, the political landscape remains charged with tensions regarding civil liberties and democratic principles.