Hungary is gearing up for a Pride march, despite tensions with the government. Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed that while police have the power to break up such events, Hungary is a civilized society that does not resort to violence. He mentioned that there would be legal repercussions for attendees, but he emphasized that these would not escalate to physical harm.
Those attending the march could face fines of up to €500, and police plan to use facial recognition technology to identify participants. Organizers of the event might even face a year in prison if they are found in violation of the law.
The Pride march is expected to attract significant attention, with EU equalities commissioner Hadja Lahbib in Budapest and planning to join the event. Lahbib, a former Belgian foreign minister, recently shared a photo with Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karacsony, in front of a rainbow flag, highlighting support for gay rights. She described the march as a strong symbol of civil society’s resilience.
Before the event, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged the Hungarian government not to obstruct the march. Orban responded by asking her to respect the law enforcement decisions of EU member states, showing his determination to manage the situation independently.
As the march approaches, it remains to be seen how the government will respond and how many people will participate in this significant event for the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary.