On Saturday, Hungary returns to the global spotlight as Mayor Gergely Karácsony and the Budapest city government move forward with organising the Budapest Pride Parade. The police had previously denied permission for the event, but Hungary’s Supreme Court overturned that ruling today. Meanwhile, authorities have granted the far-right Sixty-Four Counties Youth Movement permission to hold demonstrations at the same locations, claiming to support “tradition and normality.” Questions remain about how the situation will unfold.

Witty “trick” allows Pride Parade to proceed

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that organisers should not expect a Budapest Pride event to take place in 2025. Following his remarks, the ruling Fidesz party, with its two-thirds parliamentary majority, effectively banned such events. However, the city leadership appears to have found a workaround. On 16 June, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony announced that the Budapest Pride Parade would be held as an official municipal event, during which participants would peacefully demonstrate in support of fundamental freedoms and the right to assembly.

The police initially banned this event as well and stated that if the city proceeded, it would bear full responsibility. Nevertheless, they acknowledged their constitutional duty to ensure safety even during events deemed unlawful.

Only white, Christian, heterosexual men and women can participate

Authorities, however, did grant permission to the extremist Sixty-Four Counties Youth Movement (HVIM) to hold demonstrations along the designated Pride route. According to HVIM’s official statement, participation is restricted to white, Christian (religious), and heterosexual men and women who support “thousands of years of traditional values” and the goals of HVIM.

While counter-demonstrations have occurred in the past, HVIM seems to be escalating matters. The group has also reserved City Hall Park, the planned starting point of the Pride Parade. HVIM says they will enforce a “Code of Conduct” there, warning they will have police remove anyone who does not comply.

This raises the risk of serious conflict, particularly if HVIM activists (or members of the affiliated extremist Betyársereg group) attempt to enforce the rules themselves. All signs suggest police will need to be highly vigilant and professional on Saturday.