Fact Check: 70 MEPs to defy Hungary's PM by attending Budapest Pride.

Fact Check: 70 MEPs to Defy Hungary's PM by Attending Budapest Pride

What We Know

On March 18, 2025, the Hungarian Parliament passed a controversial bill that effectively bans the Budapest Pride event, citing a law aimed at protecting children from exposure to LGBTQ+ content. This legislation allows for fines and even imprisonment for those who organize or participate in such events, claiming to uphold child protection laws (source-1). Despite this ban, reports indicate that approximately 70 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) plan to attend the Budapest Pride event scheduled for June 28, 2025, in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community (source-3).

The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has faced significant backlash for this legislation, with many viewing it as an infringement on freedom of expression and assembly. Opposition leaders and various human rights organizations have condemned the law, arguing that it violates fundamental rights and is a tactic to distract from more pressing social issues (source-1, source-3).

Analysis

The claim that 70 MEPs will attend the Budapest Pride event is supported by multiple credible sources. The European Parliament has been vocal in its opposition to Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, with many MEPs from centrist and leftist parties expressing their intent to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community (source-3, source-5). The presence of these lawmakers is seen as a direct challenge to Orbán's government and its policies.

However, it is important to note that the Hungarian government and its supporters argue that the law is necessary for child protection and that the EU should respect Hungary's sovereignty in this matter (source-3). This perspective is primarily voiced by MEPs from the ruling Fidesz party and other far-right factions, indicating a significant divide in opinions within the European Parliament.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the primary information coming from established news outlets and official parliamentary records. The opposition to the ban has been widely reported, and the planned attendance of MEPs has been confirmed by multiple reports, adding to the reliability of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that 70 MEPs plan to attend the Budapest Pride event despite the ban is accurate. This attendance is a significant act of defiance against the Hungarian government's restrictive laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights and reflects broader concerns about freedom of expression within the EU. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this claim, confirming the commitment of these lawmakers to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary.

Fact Check: 70 MEPs to defy Hungary's PM by attending Budapest Pride.