Budapest’s mayor says Hungary’s government is moving to charge him for standing with the queer community. Mayor Gergely Karácsony has revealed he is facing charges for helping to organise a banned Pride rally in the Hungarian capital. Despite a national ban, tens of thousands of people marched through Budapest on June 28, including Karácsony himself, in open defiance of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. On Thursday, December 11, Karácsony posted a video to Facebook explaining that police have concluded their investigation and are recommending charges.
He said, as reported by Politico: “The police concluded their investigation against me in connection with the Budapest Pride march in June with a recommendation to press charges. They accuse me of violating the new law on freedom of assembly, which is completely absurd.” Karácsony said he was questioned by police in August and has now received formal notice in the case. He added: “I am proud that I took every political risk for the sake of my city’s freedom.” Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party passed a law in March 2025 banning Pride marches, claiming queer visibility threatens minors. The law allows fines of up to 200,000 forints, or about $550, for organisers and attendees.
