Fact Check: Budapest Mayor Declares Pride a Municipal Event to Bypass Police Approval
What We Know
In June 2025, Budapest's annual Pride parade faced a government ban implemented by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration, which cited a new law restricting events that "depict or promote" homosexuality to minors (source-1). Despite this ban, the event proceeded with approximately 100,000 participants, marking it as one of the largest Pride events in Hungary's history. Budapest's liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, reclassified the parade as a municipal event, which he argued did not require police approval (source-2). This move was seen as a direct challenge to the government's authority and a defense of LGBTQ+ rights amidst increasing restrictions on such gatherings in Hungary (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Budapest's mayor declared Pride a municipal event to circumvent police approval is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported that Mayor Karácsony recast the event as a celebration of Hungary’s historical freedom, thus framing it within a context that he believed would be legally permissible (source-1). This strategic reclassification was intended to protect the event from the legal ramifications imposed by the government’s recent legislation, which threatened participants and organizers with fines and imprisonment (source-2).
The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is high. The New York Times and NPR are established news organizations known for their rigorous journalistic standards. They provide detailed accounts of the events surrounding the Pride parade, including the government's attempts to suppress it and the mayor's counteractions (source-1, source-2). Additionally, BBC coverage corroborates these details, emphasizing the legal context of the ban and the mayor's decision to proceed with the event (source-3).
However, it is important to consider the political climate in Hungary, where media outlets often reflect the government's stance. For instance, pro-government media have been known to portray LGBTQ+ events negatively, which could influence public perception and the framing of events (source-1). Despite this, the widespread participation in the Pride parade indicates significant public support for LGBTQ+ rights, contrasting with the government's narrative.
Conclusion
The claim that Budapest's mayor declared Pride a municipal event to bypass police approval is True. The mayor's decision was a calculated response to the government's ban, aimed at ensuring the event could proceed legally and safely. This action not only highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary but also reflects the broader political tensions between local governance and national authority.
