Budapest's mayor under scrutiny for suspected involvement in Pride parade incident
In a dramatic turn of events, the liberal mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, has found himself under investigation for organizing the city's Pride event, which was legally banned under an anti-LGBTQ+ law.
Karácsony, a staunch advocate for democracy and human rights, publicly emphasized that "neither freedom nor love can be banned" in the city. This stance put him at odds with the right-wing populist government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who passed legislation earlier in the year to prohibit Pride events and empower authorities to use surveillance measures such as facial recognition to identify participants.
Despite the ban, approximately 300,000 people took part in the Pride event on June 28, 2025, marking the largest Pride event in Hungary's history. The charges against Karácsony relate specifically to organizing or facilitating the event, despite the government's ban.
During the interrogation, Karácsony wore a T-shirt featuring the capital's coat of arms overlaid with rainbow colors. He did not answer questions posed by investigators but contested the accusations on legal grounds. The mayor believes the investigation will likely be put to rest ahead of next year's election.
It is important to note that police announced last month they would not take action against participants of the Pride parade, who could have faced fines up to 500 euros ($570). However, the police did not reveal who was questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
Karácsony considers the accusation against him to be unfounded and plans to lodge a complaint. His stance as a symbol of resistance against Orbán's anti-LGBTQ+ policies has garnered widespread support, positioning him as a beacon of hope for many in Hungary.
[1] Budapest Pride Event Banned Under Anti-LGBTQ+ Law: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/budapest-pride-event-banned-under-anti-lgbtq-law-2025-05-15/ [2] Hungarian Mayor Faces Investigation Over Banned Pride Event: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61333509 [3] Gergely Karácsony: Neither Freedom Nor Love Can Be Banned: https://www.euronews.com/2025/06/28/gergely-karcs-ny-neither-freedom-nor-love-can-be-banned [4] Hungary's Pride Parade Draws Record Crowds Despite Ban: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/world/europe/hungary-pride-parade.html [5] Hungary's Government Enacts Legislation to Ban Pride Events: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/03/10/hungary-s-government-enacts-legislation-to-ban-pride-events
In the context of Hungary's ongoing political climate, the investigation of Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony for organizing the banned Pride event has been escalating, gaining attention in general news, crime-and-justice, and environment sections. His defense, as a firm advocate for human rights, declares that freedom and love cannot be banned, putting him at odds with the right-wing government's anti-LGBTQ+ policies. The environmental aspect of this situation lies in the potential effects of the ongoing dispute on Hungary's social climate and the broader European community.
