Gergely Karácsony, the Green Mayor of Budapest, received an extended standing ovation at the European Parliament for his resolute defence of Budapest Pride amid the opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Mayor Karácsony emerged victorious in the 2019 Budapest mayoral election, securing over 50% of the vote, defeating the ruling Fidesz party candidate. He subsequently won re-election in the 2024 municipal elections.
Prime Minister Orbán has consistently undermined LGBT+ rights during his 15 years in office, justifying his actions as measures to “protect children.” His most recent infringement on individual freedoms was a police ban on the Pride March, scheduled for 28 June in Budapest.
European Green Party co-chair, Vula Tsetsi, remarked that six weeks before Budapest Pride, Mayor Karácsony participated in Brussels Pride at the invitation of the European Green Party to gather support for the event in Budapest. His appeal for solidarity was met with enthusiasm across Europe.
Tsetsi emphasised, “Gergely and his team deserve this recognition. He embodies the principles of standing against authoritarianism and upholding European values.”
Mayor Karácsony’s party, Dialogue – The Greens’ Party (Párbeszéd – A Zöldek Pártja), joined the European Green Party in 2023.
As Prime Minister Orbán issued threats against individuals who wish to participate in the Pride event, Mayor Karácsony has committed to defying the ban to ensure the event proceeds as planned. In a bid to bypass Orbán’s controversial legislation, Mayor Karácsony has announced that the municipality will assume responsibility for organising the event on 28 June, citing that “official permission” is not required for a “municipal event.”
“Mayor Gergely Karácsony has become a symbol of democratic resistance in Hungary,” said European Green Party co-chair Ciarán Cuffe. “When the Orbán regime attempted to block Budapest Pride this year, he took immediate action, declaring it a municipal event and ensuring that it could go ahead safely. His message was clear: Budapest stands for love, freedom and democracy – and will not be silenced,” emphasised the European Green Party co-chair.
The march in Budapest for LGBTQ+ swelled into one of the largest displays of opposition to Orbán witnessed in recent years, involving some 100,000 people according to the media.
