Fact Check: Budapest Mayor defies government, supports Pride march!

Fact Check: Budapest Mayor Defies Government, Supports Pride March!

What We Know

In June 2025, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government attempted to ban the annual Budapest Pride parade, citing a new law that prohibits events depicting or promoting homosexuality to minors. Despite these threats, Budapest's liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, announced that the parade would proceed as a municipal event, rebranded as "Budapest Pride Freedom" to celebrate Hungary's recovery of full freedom after the Soviet withdrawal in 1991 (source-1, source-4). On the day of the event, over 100,000 participants marched through Budapest, significantly surpassing attendance from previous years (source-1, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that Budapest's mayor defied the government to support the Pride march is substantiated by multiple sources. Mayor Karácsony openly criticized the government's ban and expressed his commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, stating, "We believe there should be no first and second class citizens, so we decided to stand by this event" (source-3). This sentiment was echoed by various European officials who attended the march, reinforcing the idea that the event was a significant act of defiance against the government's oppressive policies (source-7).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with major news outlets such as The New York Times, Reuters, and NBC News providing detailed coverage of the event and the surrounding political context. These outlets have established reputations for journalistic integrity, although it is essential to note that they may have varying editorial slants. For instance, the framing of the event as a "mass rally against Mr. Orbán’s government" suggests a critical stance towards the ruling party, which may influence how the information is presented (source-1, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that Budapest's mayor defied the government to support the Pride march is True. The evidence clearly shows that Mayor Gergely Karácsony took a stand against the government's ban, allowing the event to proceed and framing it as a celebration of freedom. The overwhelming turnout at the parade further underscores the public's support for LGBTQ+ rights and opposition to the government's restrictive measures.