Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for what he called “interference” in Hungary’s internal affairs, following her public demand that Budapest allow a banned pro-LGBT Pride march to proceed this Saturday.
Von der Leyen made the appeal in a video posted to social media, calling on Hungarian authorities to reverse their ban on the parade and to ensure no penalties are imposed on organizers or participants. “I call on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead, without fear of any criminal or administrative sanctions against the organisers or participants,” she said, adding, “To the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary and beyond: I will always be your ally.”
Orbán responded in kind with a post on X, warning the European Commission to respect national sovereignty and focus on its own responsibilities. “Dear Madam President,” he wrote, “I urge the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the law enforcement affairs of Member States, where it has no role to play.” He further accused the Commission of failing in its core duties, citing “serious mistakes in recent years, such as the energy crisis and the erosion of European competitiveness.”
Dear Madam President,
I urge the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the law enforcement affairs of Member States, where it has no role to play.
I also call on the Commission to focus its efforts on the pressing challenges facing the European Union—areas where it… https://t.co/QHlJofeC6F
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) June 25, 2025
The clash comes amid escalating tensions between Hungary and the European Union over legislation passed in March by Hungary’s National Assembly. The new law prohibits the promotion of pornography, gender reassignment content, and material considered inappropriate for minors. It also grants the government the authority to ban public events deemed in violation of these provisions. As a result, this year’s Budapest Pride parade was officially blocked, with organizers potentially facing fines of up to 200,000 forints — around €503 — for non-compliance.
Despite the prohibition, Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony has vowed to go ahead with the parade as a city-sponsored event. “Budapest city hall will organize the Budapest Pride march on June 28 as a city event. Period. This ban has no value,” he declared, accusing the government of using the LGBT issue to distract from Hungary’s worsening economic situation.
Domestically, the child-protection law has garnered strong support, with the ruling Fidesz party passing it by a wide margin — 136 votes to 27. Earlier this year, opposition lawmakers staged a protest against the legislation by igniting smoke bombs in parliament, leading to hospitalizations and potential criminal charges.
International criticism of Hungary’s policies has also intensified. Last week, Spain’s Minister of Equality Ana Redondo, a member of the Socialist government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, announced plans to attend the parade in Budapest.
“We are looking at the agenda, the government is going to be there,” Redondo said. “If I am not there in person, people from the team and probably the director general will be.”
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