Budapest Mayor Charged Over Banned LGBTQ Pride March

Hungarian prosecutors charged Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony on Wednesday with organizing an unlawful assembly for his role in the city's 30th annual LGBTQ Pride event, which proceeded on June 28, 2025, despite a national ban. The charges stem from the mayor's decision to co-organize and lead the march, which drew an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 participants through the capital's streets, marking one of the largest such gatherings in the country's history.

The Budapest Chief Prosecutors Office announced the filing of charges, proposing a summary judgment that would impose a fine on Karácsony without a full trial. Prosecutors stated that the mayor defied a police prohibition order by issuing public calls to participate and then guiding the event, which began at City Hall, moved through the city center, and crossed the Danube River via the Erzsebet Bridge. While the exact fine amount was not disclosed, Karácsony could have faced up to one year in prison for the violation, though participants escaped penalties after police announced in July 2025 that they would not pursue action against attendees.

Karácsony, who has served as mayor since 2019 and leads the opposition Dialogue...