Despite intimidation and a ban from Viktor Orbán’s government, the Budapest Pride Parade went ahead this Saturday as a powerful act of protest, resistance and unity. Liberal and democrat subnational leaders proudly stood with Hungary’s LGBTQI+ community and took part in the march.
Local leaders Katrin Krause, who is the CoR’s representative on the EU’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Capital Award, from Harku (Estonia), Irina Talviste, who is Renew Europe’s joint coordinator for the Simone Veil Action Plan for Gender Equality at the Local Level, from Pärnu (Estonia), and Benedek Farkas from Budaörs (Hungary) travelled to Budapest on Saturday 28 June to visibly support the thousands of courageous citizens who defied the government’s ban and marched for equality, love, and dignity.
“Today the voice of freedom and human rights was expressed on the streets of Budapest. As long as there are people like this in Europe, the voice of freedom will never disappear!” – Irina Talviste, local leader from Pärnu (Estonia)
The Hungarian government’s attempt to ban the pride parade, under the pretext of so-called “child protection” laws, marks a serious erosion of democratic freedoms and fundamental rights. Adopted by the Parliament in March 2025, the law prohibits public gatherings that ‘promote or display homosexuality or gender-change’, thereby effectively banning LGBTQ+ Pride events. A constitutional amendment followed in April, backing this stance with legal force and allowing facial-recognition tech to identify participants. Under the law, attendees could face fines up to €500 and organizers risk up to one year in prison. In the face of these threats, the pride parade became not just a celebration of LGBTQI+ identity, but a protest and broader rallying cry for European values: democracy, inclusion, and the rule of law.
“Banning the pride parade is a move of desperation. A symbol of an autocrat losing his last shreds of contact with reality and the electorate, clawing for the last bits of attention he can get. The majority of Hungarians support equal rights for queer people. Orbán’s Hungary may exist in his fever dreams, but not on the streets of Budapest.” – Benedek Farkas, local leader from Budaörs, Hungary
As a local pushback, democratic Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony, hosted an alternative “Freedom March”, in which tens of thousands participated – including Hungarian citizens, elected officials from all over Europe, and international activists. Our delegation of liberal and democrat subnational leaders was proud to join forces with the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament and the Hungarian liberal party Momentum, alongside other European political representatives, including a delegation from PES CoR and the CoR President, former Deputy Mayor of Budapest, Kata Tüttő.
“It was amazing to be part of the strong Hungarian community, where people carried with them EU values, such as the feeling of freedom and democracy. Tens of thousands gathered to the Budapest streets to march with honour and respect. In this way, we continue to make Europe the best place to live and thrive, for all!” – Katrin Krause, local leader from Harku (Estonia)
Our Commitment
Our presence in Budapest was not just symbolic. It was a message: Hungary is not alone. The LGBTQI+ community is not alone. When governments turn their backs on rights and dignity, cities and regions must step forward.
“The closer the support, the more real it is. Words of affirmation from a national leader can mean a lot, but we all know real action happens locally. If we can make cities safe and welcoming for minorities, we’ll know the European project has succeeded.” – Benedek Farkas, local leader from Budaörs, Hungary
Renew Europe has been a leading political voice within the Committee of the Regions in defending and advancing equal rights at local and regional level. In 2021, our former member Kate Feeney (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Ireland) authored the CoR Opinion on the European Commission’s landmark initiative, the “Union of Equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020–2025.” Her work helped shape the CoR’s position on how local and regional authorities can actively protect LGBTQI+ people from discrimination and promote visibility and inclusion across Europe. Since then, we have also taken a vocal stance against the so-called “LGBT-free zones” in Poland, supporting local leaders, activists, and cross-border networks fighting against hate and marginalisation. We have worked to ensure that EU funding mechanisms support equality, and that local and regional authorities across Europe are equipped and empowered to build inclusive, welcoming communities. In 2023, Kate Feeney was on the jury for the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, an EU initiative that recognises the work done by cities, towns, or regions in Europe to promote inclusion and create discrimination-free societies. Liberals and democrats have taken part in the award ceremony ever since, along with other key opportunities to help build a Europe where everyone can live authentically, love freely, and pursue their aspirations without barriers – a core principle guiding our political vision for the next five years.
This weekend’s march in Budapest may have been banned on paper, but it was unstoppable in spirit. And we were proud to walk alongside those who will not be silenced.
