**Thousands Defy Orban’s Ban at Record-Breaking Budapest Pride**
Budapest witnessed a historic turnout at its annual Pride march, with an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 attendees flooding the streets in a vibrant display of defiance against Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government. The event, which stretched across the Elizabeth Bridge and downtown areas, became a powerful protest against Hungary’s restrictive LGBTQ+ laws. Many participants, including young activists, cited Orban’s recent ban on the march as their motivation to join, turning the celebration into a broader movement for human rights and democracy. Slogans mocking the prime minister—such as “I’m so bored of Fascism”—and satirical T-shirts featuring Orban in makeup underscored the crowd’s resistance to his policies.
**A Political Standoff and Symbolic Victory**
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony, a vocal critic of Orban, hailed the march as a triumph over government repression, declaring, “They have no power over us!” The event highlighted the ongoing clash between Hungary’s liberal capital and its conservative-led national government, which had attempted to block the parade under a controversial 2021 law equating homosexuality with pedophilia. Despite the ban, authorities took a restrained approach, allowing the festivities to proceed while monitoring the crowds. Meanwhile, Orban doubled down on his stance, attending a police graduation ceremony where he emphasized “order” as a cornerstone of society, while his allies promoted family-centric “pride” posts on social media.
**International Solidarity and the Fight for Fundamental Rights**
The march drew international attention, with Finnish MEP Li Andersson joining to stress that the event was not just about LGBTQ+ rights but about defending democracy itself. The overwhelming turnout sent a clear message: Hungarians remain committed to equality and freedom of expression, despite government crackdowns. As Budapest Pride set a new record, it reinforced the city’s reputation as a beacon of resistance in Orban’s Hungary—a stark contrast to the nationalist rhetoric dominating the country’s political landscape.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.