Budapest Mayor Faces Legal Action After Defying Hungary's Pride Ban
Prosecutors in Hungary have formally charged Gergely Karácsony, the progressive mayor of Budapest, seeking financial penalties against him for his role in organising a Pride march that directly challenged the government's controversial ban on such events. The charges come months after hundreds of thousands of people responded to Karácsony's call to take to the streets in a powerful display of defiance against the ruling Fidesz party's policies.
The Controversial Legislation and Municipal Response
The confrontation stems from legislation backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's right-wing populist government, which created a legal basis for banning Pride events across Hungary. The government cited what critics have called a spurious need to protect children, making this believed to be the first such legislation in recent European Union history. Following the police ban on Budapest Pride, Mayor Karácsony declared the event a municipal gathering in a strategic move to circumvent the official prohibition.
This declaration proved remarkably successful, with a record number of participants transforming the June march into a significant symbol of resistance. The event attracted Hungarians from across the nation alongside dozens of Members of the European Parliament and officials from throughout Europe, creating one of the largest demonstrations against Orbán's government in recent years.
Prosecutors' Charges and Political Context
On Wednesday, prosecutors announced they had charged Karácsony with "organising and leading a public gathering despite the police ban." In their official statement, they proposed that "the court impose a fine on the defendant in a summary judgment without a trial," though they did not specify the exact amount being sought. This legal action arrives less than three months before crucial parliamentary elections where Orbán faces an unprecedented challenge from Péter Magyar, a former senior member of his own party.
The timing has raised questions among political observers, with many suggesting the government is intensifying its targeting of LGBTQ+ communities as it struggles with declining poll numbers. Campaigners argue that Orbán's administration is increasingly scapegoating minority groups in an attempt to consolidate support among conservative voters, continuing a pattern of rolling back LGBTQ+ rights that has drawn international condemnation.
Karácsony's Defiant Response and European Reaction
Budapest's mayor, who has led the capital since 2019, responded swiftly and defiantly to the prosecutors' decision. "I have gone from being a proud suspect to a proud defendant," Karácsony declared on social media. "Because it seems that this is the price we pay in this country when we stand up for our own freedom and that of others."
The prominent opposition figure, known for displaying LGBTQ+ and Ukrainian flags on the city's administration building, vowed to continue resisting what he called "selfish, petty and despicable power." He added: "Because when people who want to live, to love, to be happy are betrayed by their own country, betrayed by their government, resistance is a duty."
European political leaders have expressed serious concern about the implications of charging an elected mayor for defending fundamental rights. Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green party, emphasised that "this is not just about Pride; it is a test of whether the EU will stand for democracy." Her colleague Ciarán Cuffe echoed this sentiment, stating that "the Orbán regime's attempt to punish Gergely Karácsony without granting a trial underlines the authoritarian trajectory of Hungary under Orbán."
Background and Government Threats
In the lead-up to Budapest Pride, government officials had warned organisers they could face up to a year in prison for proceeding with the event. The administration also threatened to use facial recognition technology to identify attendees and potentially fine them up to €500 each. However, police announced in July that they would not take action against the estimated 200,000 people who participated in the march, focusing their legal efforts instead on the event's organisers.
The case against Mayor Karácsony represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hungary's progressive opposition and Orbán's government, which has faced sustained criticism for weakening democratic institutions, eroding media freedom, and undermining the rule of law. As Hungary approaches crucial elections, this legal battle over fundamental rights and freedoms is likely to remain at the centre of political discourse both domestically and across Europe.
