Advertisement
We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you’ve seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
One-off amount
I already contribute
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Investigates
Investigates
Money Diaries
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
The Journal TV
Climate Crisis
Cost of Living
Road Safety
Newsletters
Temperature Check
Inside the Newsroom
The Journal Investigates
The Explainer
A deep dive into one big news story
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Advertisement
More Stories
Tourists waving from a bus to activists in Budapest yesterday.Alamy
Biggest-ever Budapest Pride march defies Viktor Orbán’s attempted ban on parade
Embarrassment for the Hungarian Prime Minister after 200,000 people attended after he threatened attendees with jail.
10.02am, 29 Jun 2025
Share options
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people turned up for Budapest’s biggest-ever Pride parade after attempts by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to ban the event and prevent it from going ahead.
Organisers estimate upwards of 200,000 people took part in the event in Hungary’s capital yesterday. In the crowd were Irish MEPs and other politicians who sought to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Europeans.
Orbán’s right-wing coalition amended laws and the constitution this year to ban the annual celebration, citing “child protection” to justify the years-long clampdown on LGBTQ+ rights.
Participants gather during the Budapest Pride marchAlamy
But the opposition-run Budapest city hall decided to co-host the march so it could go ahead. The European Commission has launched EU law infringement proceedings following the Prime Minister’s actions.
Advertisement
Hundreds of politicians joined Hungarians in their march at the capital yesterday, including Ireland’s Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh, Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and European Greens leader Ciarán Cuffe.
Anti-Orbán sign held up during the Pride march in Budapest.Alamy
The Hungarian government wanted to imprison the event’s organisers, who were celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Parade goers also faced fines of up to €500 for attending.
But Orbán said on Friday that police would not break up the Pride march. The events are viewed as an embarrassment for the Prime Minister, who has been losing support in recent elections, over the vast number of attendees and the incoming EU reprimands.
Roughly 200,000 people attended the event, organisers say.Alamy
A government spokesperson accused the EU of attempting to push “woke culture” onto Hungary.
Vice-President of the European Parliament and Romanian MEP Nicu Stefanuta represented the institution yesterday. He said: “This is not just about Budapest. This is about all of us, about what kind of Europe we choose to build and protect.”
Related Reads
With fear and courage, Hungarians are refusing to let their government beat them down
Irish politicians to attend Budapest Pride as Hungary threatens participants with fines
Hungary is setting ‘political trap’ for EU with Pride ban, says Leo Varadkar
Streets, like many others in Europe yesterday, were awash with colour for the Budapest pride march.Alamy
“Freedom and love can’t be banned,” read one huge poster put up near city hall, the gathering point for the march.
“I am proud to be gay and I am very scared that the government wants to bring us down,” one participant, 66-year-old Zoltan, said. “I am very surprised that there are so many people, I want to cry.”
With reporting by AFP
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone…
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Support The Journal
Muiris O’Cearbhaill
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “Biggest-ever Budapest Pride march defies Viktor Orbán’s attempted ban on parade”.
Recipient’s Email
Feedback on “Biggest-ever Budapest Pride march defies Viktor Orbán’s attempted ban on parade”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment…
European Union
pride march
Viktor Orban
News in 60 seconds
7 deadly reads
Sitdown Sunday: The disappearance of a Texas student, and the online sleuths obsessed with the case
Glastonbury
Kneecap among artists whose Glastonbury gigs are under review by UK police
jews against zionism
Granddaughter of a Holocaust escapee: ‘I never thought I’d see Israel committing such crimes’
us tariff threat
Flogging beef tongue and Irish whiskey: Taoiseach and ministers travel to Japan in major trade push
Ireland’s €550m hospitality VAT cut seems based on little evidence – other than lobbying
Paul O’Donoghue
Life in Palestine: ‘I’d rather they break my arms and legs than take me into detention’
The Morning Lead
‘I could get the death penalty for this’: Iranians in Ireland reflect on the regime after war
Eimer McAuley
Man charged after Ballymena ‘spread with slurry overnight’ ahead of town’s first Pride parade
Kneecap pack Glastonbury stage and lead chants of ‘f**k Keir Starmer’ to sea of Palestinian flags
All-Ireland SFC
Dublin v Tyrone, All-Ireland SFC quarter-final
Man (20s) dies after being struck by a car in Dublin this morning
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online