Budapest Pride attracts 100,000 in defiance of Hungary's ban

More than 70 members of the European Parliament were expected at the 30th Pride march.

Ursula von der Leyen,president of the EU Commission,urged beforehand: ‘I call on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead. Without fear of any criminal or administrative sanctions against the organisers or participants. To the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary and beyond: I will always be your ally.’

Pro-government media cast a negative light on the events,with daily newspaper Magyar Nemzert using the headline ‘Chaos at Budapest Pride’ focusing on traffic disruption,and accusing the organisers of being globalist puppets.

Event organisers said: ‘The main message of the jubilee Budapest Pride is: we are here! We are at home in Hungary,and we are at home in Europe. Solidarity across borders shows: Europe has not forgotten the Hungarians. There are a lot of people who care that Hungarians can once again live in a democracy and under the rule of law.’