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Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Huge crowds pack Budapest as banned Pride march swells into anti-Orban rally
People carrying a giant EU flag as they take part in the Pride parade, in downtown Budapest, on June 28. PHOTO: AFP BUDAPEST - Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Hungary's capital on June 28 as a banned LGBTQ+ rights rally swelled into a mass anti-government demonstration, in one of the biggest shows of opposition to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Crowds filled a square near Budapest's city hall in sweltering heat before setting off across one of the main bridges over the Danube, waving rainbow flags, some draped in capes and some carrying signs mocking Mr Orban. 'This is about much more, not just about homosexuality... This is the last moment to stand up for our rights,' Ms Eszter Rein Bodi, one of the marchers, said. 'None of us are free until everyone is free,' one sign read. Mr Orban's government has gradually curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the past decade, and lawmakers passed a law in March that allows for the ban of Pride marches, citing the need to protect children. Mr Orban's opponents see the move as part of a wider crackdown on democratic freedoms ahead of a national election in 2026 when the veteran prime minister - whose party has dominated Hungary's political scene for 15 years - will face a strong opposition challenger. Small groups of far-right counter-protesters attempted to disrupt the peaceful march, but police separated them and diverted the route of the march to avoid any clashes. Mr Orban and his government, who promote a Christian-conservative agenda and have championed family values, have defended the restrictions saying that the need to protect children supersedes all other rights. Mr Orban posted a photo with his grandchildren on the morning of the march, with the caption: 'This is what I am proud of.' Several of his supporters followed suit. Marchers included students, families and people from the countryside who said they had never attended a rally before. The Erzsebet bridge, built to carry six lanes of traffic, was engulfed with people. Local media sites including and Magyar Hang estimated the crowd at 100,000, though Reuters could not confirm that figure. 'The message is clear, they have no power over us,' Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony told the rally. He thanked police for securing the march. What started as a Pride parade in Budapest on June 28, morphed into an anti-government protest involving tens of thousands of people. PHOTO: AFP March organisers said participants had arrived from 30 different countries, including 70 members of the European Parliament. More than 30 embassies have expressed support for the march and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Hungarian authorities to let the parade go ahead. 'Legal consequences' Budapest's mayor had tried to circumvent the law by organising Pride as a municipal event, which he said does not need a permit. Police however banned the event, arguing that it fell under the scope of the child protection law. Mr Orban provided some clues on June 27 about what participants can expect when he warned of 'legal consequences' for organising and attending the march. Earlier this week Justice Minister Bence Tuzson warned in a letter sent to some foreign embassies in Budapest that organising a prohibited event is punishable by one year in jail, while attending counts as a misdemeanour. The law that allows for the ban of Pride lets police impose fines and use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. Police officers standing guard as people attend the Budapest Pride parade in Hungary's capital on June 28. PHOTO: REUTERS Mr Orban's attacks on Pride initially increased his support, political analyst Gabor Torok wrote on Facebook on June 28. But opinion shifted after the police ban and the legal debates surrounding the march, he said. Mr Orban's dominance and ability to set the political agenda had faced increasing challenges from centre-right opposition leader Peter Magyar's Tisza party, which had a 15-point lead over Mr Orban's Fidesz in a poll this month. Tisza, which has been avoiding taking a strong position on gay rights issues, did not specify in response to Reuters questions whether it believed the Pride march was lawful, but said those attending deserved the state's protection. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
DW
21 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Budapest Pride: Thousands of marchers defy police ban – DW – 06/28/2025
Tens of thousands of people marched in the streets of the Hungarian capital despite police banning the event. Attendees risk a fine and organizers could face a one-year prison sentence. Tens of thousands LGBTQ+ rights supporters took part in the Budapest Pride march on Saturday, in defiance of a police ban and threats from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "We believe there are 180,000 to 200,000 people attending," Pride president Viktoria Radvanyi told the AFP news agency. "It is hard to estimate because there have never been so many people at Budapest Pride." Local media sites including and Magyar Hang estimated the crowd to be closer to 100,000, still far more than the previous record turnout of 35,000 people. Prime Minister Orban has restricted the rights of the LGBTQ+ community over the past few years, and his party's lawmakers passed a law in March allowing the ban of Pride marches, claiming it was motivated by the need to protect children. However, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony declared the Pride parade a municipal event, arguing that this designation exempts it from the assembly law and renders the police ban invalid. The annual event has now come to symbolize resistance to a general repression of civil society in Hungary under the nationalist government of Orban, which is facing a growing challenge from center-right opposition leader Peter Magyar's Tisza party ahead of elections next year. "This is about much more, not just about homosexuality,...This is the last moment to stand up for our rights," Eszter Rein Bodi, one of the marchers, told the Reuters news agency. "This isn't just about LGBQT+ rights, it's also about the right to assemble and about standing up for each other and not allowing [the government] to oppress us," another participant, Blanka Molnar, told the AP news agency. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video More than 30 embassies have also voiced support for the march, which was due to be attended by European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib and about 70 members of the European Parliament. Ahead of the parade European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on Hungarian authorities not to block the march. "Our Union is one of equality and non-discrimination," von der Leyen wrote in a statement. She called these "core values" that "must be respected at all times, in all Member States." Anyone attending the march, however, risks being accused of a misdemeanor, while organizing such an event could carry the penalty of a one-year jail sentence, according to a letter sent to some foreign embassies in Budapest by Justice Minister Bence Tuzson. The so-called child-protection legislation that allowed the ban to be imposed also allows police to hand out fines and to use facial recognition technology to identify attendees. Over the past decade, Orban's government has frequently been at loggerheads with the EU over its increasing repression of civil liberties and press freedoms under the guise of protecting "Christian" values. Orban has also used nationalism and far-right rhetoric to reinforce his grip on power since reclaiming his position as prime minister in 2010. The ban on the Pride march is being seen by opponents as part of a wider crackdown on democratic freedoms ahead of next year's elections, at which Orban's government is expected to face a stiff challenge from Magyar, whose party has been leading in opinion polls. The Tisza party, while avoiding taking a strong position on gay rights issues, nonetheless called on the government to protect anyone attending the march. "Peter Magyar has called on the Hungarian authorities and police to protect the Hungarian people this Saturday, and on other days as well, even if it means standing up against the arbitrariness of power," its press office said. Magyar himself has not planned to attend.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Huge crowds pack Budapest as banned Pride swells into anti-Orban rally
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Hungary's capital on Saturday as a banned LGBTQ+ rights rally swelled into a mass anti-government demonstration, in one of the biggest shows of opposition to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Crowds filled a square near Budapest's city hall in sweltering heat before setting off across one of the main bridges over the Danube, waving rainbow flags, some draped in capes and some carrying signs mocking Orban. 'This is about much more, not just about homosexuality … This is the last moment to stand up for our rights,' Eszter Rein Bodi, one of the marchers, said. 'None of us are free until everyone is free,' one sign read. Orban's government has gradually curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the past decade, and lawmakers passed a law in March that allows for the ban of Pride marches, citing the need to protect children. Orban's opponents see the move as part of a wider crackdown on democratic freedoms ahead of a national election next year when the veteran prime minister – whose party has dominated Hungary's political scene for 15 years – will face a strong opposition challenger. Small groups of far-right counter-protesters attempted to disrupt the peaceful march, but police separated them and diverted the route of the march to avoid any clashes. Orban and his government, who promote a Christian-conservative agenda and have championed family values, have defended the restrictions saying that the need to protect children supersedes all other rights. Orban posted a photo with his grandchildren on the morning of the march, with the caption: 'This is what I am proud of.' Several of his supporters followed suit. Marchers included students, families and people from the countryside who said they had never attended a rally before. The Erzsebet bridge, built to carry six lanes of traffic, was engulfed with people. Local media sites including and Magyar Hang estimated the crowd at 100,000, though Reuters could not confirm that figure. 'The message is clear, they have no power over us,' Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony told the rally. He thanked police for securing the march. March organisers said participants had arrived from 30 different countries, including 70 members of the European Parliament. More than 30 embassies have expressed support for the march and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Hungarian authorities to let the parade go ahead. Budapest's mayor had tried to circumvent the law by organising Pride as a municipal event, which he said does not need a permit. Police however banned the event, arguing that it fell under the scope of the child protection law. Orban provided some clues on Friday about what participants can expect when he warned of 'legal consequences' for organising and attending the march. Earlier this week Justice Minister Bence Tuzson warned in a letter sent to some foreign embassies in Budapest that organising a prohibited event is punishable by one year in jail, while attending counts as a misdemeanour. The law that allows for the ban of Pride lets police impose fines and use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. Orban's attacks on Pride initially increased his support, political analyst Gabor Torok wrote on Facebook on Saturday. But opinion shifted after the police ban and the legal debates surrounding the march, he said. Orban's dominance and ability to set the political agenda had faced increasing challenges from centre-right opposition leader Peter Magyar's Tisza party, which had a 15-point lead over Orban's Fidesz in a poll this month. Tisza, which has been avoiding taking a strong position on gay rights issues, did not specify in response to Reuters questions whether it believed the Pride march was lawful, but said those attending deserved the state's protection.
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Hungary threatens to expel dual nationals in 'defend sovereignty' push
The proposed amendment of the Hungarian constitution could result in the expulsion of Hungarians who hold nationalities from other countries if the government sees them as a danger to sovereignty. ADVERTISEMENT Critics of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government who hold dual nationalities could face expulsion from the country, activists and NGO leaders fear, after the governing party announced its intention to amend the constitution as part of its latest political campaign. The move was revealed by the parliamentary group leader of the ruling party, Fidesz, Máté Kocsis, in a Facebook post on Sunday. 'A Hungarian citizen who also holds the citizenship of another state may be expelled from the territory of Hungary under conditions specified by law if his or her activities endanger the national sovereignty, public order, territorial integrity or security of Hungary,' Kocsis' post said, referring to the text of the proposed legislation. Kocsis further made it clear that the measure could be used against NGOs and journalists seen by the government as representatives of foreign interests. The politician indirectly also referred to Hungarian-born American investor and philanthropist George Soros. "In recent years, foreign powers and speculators have increasingly unscrupulously and widely interfered in the internal affairs of our country, even in electoral processes, and have also actively engaged in defamatory activities against Hungary throughout Europe," Kocsis wrote. "They did this through pseudo-civil organisations, corrupt politicians, and media outlets that call themselves independent," he claimed, without providing evidence. Other details of the draft law remain unknown, so it's unclear which activities could qualify as endangering the national security or the sovereignty of the central European country. Public backlash and fears of losing citizenship abound Representatives of the civic opposition to Orbán have already expressed frustration over the plans. Stefano Bottoni, a historian with dual Hungarian-Italian citizenship and a fierce critic of Orbán's rule, said he was in shock. "I search for the words, but they don't come. Rather, I feel a mixture of anger and anxiety," Botton said. "Their nearly 15 years rule have prepared me for many things, but not for the fact that any citizen who thinks differently and is not exclusively Hungarian national, can be targeted," he added. Bottoni, who authored the 2023 bestseller, "Obsessed with power: The Hungary of Viktor Orbán," recalled historical parallels from the region, where states tried to get rid of their own citizens. The antisemitic campaigns in Poland in 1968-1969, where around 13,000 citizenships were revoked, resulted in mass deportations, are one clear example, he said. Bottoni called this development a "massive red line that could be seen even from the Moon" in a social media post. Another Orbán critic, Csaba Lukács, a journalist at the independent Magyar Hang weekly holding Romanian and Hungarian passports, said on social media he was afraid he might lose his Hungarian citizenship. ADVERTISEMENT "Well, it looks like our party and government may soon take away my Hungarian citizenship and expel me from Hungary," Lukács said, comparing the plans to the rule of Romanian communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. Recently, Lukács ended up being summoned together with two other journalists to an interrogation by the country's intelligence service after his paper falsely claimed the plane of the toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad had landed in Budapest. The paper later apologised for publishing fake news, but the government continued to target the outlet, calling it a danger to national security. Orbán boosted by Trump's victory The latest campaign against activists of multiple nationalities is a part of a broader initiative to get rid of foreign-funded critics in Hungary. ADVERTISEMENT In the past, Orbán repeatedly referred to NGOs and independent media critical of him and his government as part of what he called a "Soros network" — a reference to the Hungarian-born liberal investor and philanthropist George Soros, often invoked by right-wing populists as a disruptive influence. However, after the electoral victory of US President Donald Trump, Orbán opted for decisive actions. In a radio speech on 7 February, he alleged that some Hungarians received foreign funding from Soros, the US government and Brussels to overthrow his government. 'They need to be swept away. When, if not now," Orbán ADVERTISEMENT "The entire Soros network needs to be dismantled ... Those who accept this money need to be sanctioned.' In late February, the Hungarian prime minister appointed a government representative to review the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) work in Hungary and its funds. András László, a Fidesz MEP, is now investigating which organisations and media outlets in Hungary received funding from USAID programmes — another commonly invoked source of alleged disruptive actions. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday that he supported the proposed changes in the constitution and called for a law similar to the US Magnitsky Act to defend national interests. ADVERTISEMENT The exact text of the new legislation has not yet been made public, and the parliamentary vote is not scheduled at this time. The Fidesz-KDNP party alliance has an absolute majority in the parliament, and anything the governing party proposes might pass immediately.
