Budapest mayor gergely Karácsony has been formally accused of organizing a prohibited event following the city’s Pride march, a move rights groups have condemned as an attack on LGBTQ+ freedoms.
Karácsony, who emerged from police questioning Friday, stated he declined to answer investigators’ questions. The charges stem from the July Pride march, which Hungarian authorities deemed illegal. The government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has implemented legislation barring content depicting homosexuality to minors under 18, a policy criticized by rights groups and European politicians as repressive and comparable to similar restrictions in Russia.
Orbán and his party have argued that Pride celebrations violate children’s rights to moral and spiritual growth, a stance reinforced by a recent constitutional amendment prioritizing these rights over other fundamental protections, including the right to peaceful assembly. While Hungarian authorities initially stated no charges would be filed against attendees, investigations against organizers were ongoing.
Viktória radványi, President of Budapest Pride, praised Karácsony for his “courage and very strong morals” in supporting the Pride association. She emphasized that a mayor’s role extends beyond logistical duties to actively protecting citizens’ fundamental rights when they are threatened.
Karácsony asserted that the government’s attempts to ban Pride had weakened its authority,stating,”Until now,they’ve only been able to understand the language of force. This force is weakened now and no longer has any effect over people’s thinking.” He also highlighted the upcoming national elections as an possibility to “take Hungary back onto the European path” and create a country where freedom is universal.
The widespread defiance of the government’s stance by pride participants, Karácsony noted, underscores a collective understanding that “either we are all free together, or none of us are.”
