On June 18, 2025, a heated debate unfolded among European lawmakers concerning the recent ban on the Budapest Pride event instituted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. Many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voiced their concerns that this ban represents a direct infringement on freedom of expression and civil liberties. Iratxe Garcia, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament, characterized the decision not as an isolated issue but as part of a broader pattern of authoritarian behavior by the Hungarian government. Garcia called for robust EU action against Hungary, condemning the ban as an “outright European shame” that exemplifies censorship and discrimination against marginalized groups.
The discourse included suggestions from left-wing and liberal representatives for imposing EU sanctions on Hungary, such as suspending its voting rights under the Article 7 procedure. This call for action followed the recent adoption of Hungarian legislation that effectively prohibits public demonstrations like the Pride march under the guise of “child protection.” This law, which aims to prevent the portrayal of same-sex relationships to minors, is viewed by the European Commission as a violation of EU community law, warranting intervention in the form of a referral to the European Court of Justice.
Conversely, conservative and far-right MEPs defended the ban, asserting that the EU should respect Hungary’s sovereignty and internal laws. Conservative MEP Kinga Gál emphasized the importance of child welfare in Hungary, framing the ban as a necessary measure for protecting children’s development. Gál’s comments underscored a broader ideological divide within the European Parliament regarding the role of EU intervention in member states’ domestic affairs.
The Budapest Pride event is slated for June 28 and has become a focal point of this political unrest. With the ban in place, the Hungarian government has announced that participants will be monitored via AI camera systems and may face penalties if they defy the ban. Although around 70 MEPs have planned to attend the Pride march, the European Commission has opted not to send representatives, citing ongoing investigations into the legality of Hungary’s legislation.
In a turn of events, the opposition-led city government of Budapest is attempting to circumvent the ban by stepping in as the event’s organizer. Mayor Gergely Karácsony stated that this change in organization could allow the march to proceed without requiring police authorization. However, this interpretation is contentious, leading to a legal dispute over the legitimacy of the Pride event under current laws. German MEP Daniel Freund highlighted this ongoing struggle, indicating that the situation remains fluid as the legal status of the Pride march continues to be contested.
EU Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath further complicated the scenario by assuring that the Commission is actively investigating the child protection law and is prepared to leverage all necessary mechanisms to uphold European values. This situation highlights the tension between national sovereignty and EU legislative authority, as well as the challenges confronting the bloc in addressing issues surrounding human rights and discrimination within member states. The developments in Hungary not only illustrate the complexities of European politics but reveal a significant rift over fundamental values, especially in matters of gender and sexual identity.
