It’s published •update
Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban warned on Friday that anyone involved in the banned pride of the Budapest march this weekend will face “legal consequences.”
Arguing that this move is necessary to protect children, Orban’s conservative government passed a law earlier this year that would allow police to ban public LGBTQ+ events.
Despite the ban, Budapest’s liberal mayor Gelgary Kalaksony vowed to advance the Pride march in the Hungarian capital on Saturday.
Talking to Euroneus, Karaksony insisted that the event was “completely legal.”
“The Hungarian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Parliamentary Act, meaning that the pride covered by the Parliamentary Act is not approved by the police,” Kalaksony explained.
“However, we are holding local government events that are not covered by this law. They are completely legal as they invite Budapest people to another event in their own public spaces that they have organized themselves.”
Justice Minister Bens Tudsson quickly argued that March was subject to the law of Parliament and therefore was prohibited.
Tazson said Karaksony could face a fine to host the event in a one-year prison.
Fines that are difficult to fine
Those involved on Saturday in March could also be forced to pay the fine.
In addition to approving the use of AI-driven facial recognition to identify people at banned events, Orbán’s Party, Fidesz has streamlined the process of issuing them with financial penalties.
Christophe Andras Qadar, co-chairman of Hungary’s Helsinki Commission, a human rights group, told Euroneus that Budapest mayor has a strong lawsuit, but participants could still be fined.
“In the end, I think that reducing or canceling fines can be achieved through various legal procedures,” Qadar said.
Fines are not the only concern. There is also growing fear that violence from other groups could pose a serious threat to pride participants.
Hungarian police have allowed a rebuttal of our far-right homeland (Mihazánk), which is set to partially overlap with the planned routes of Budapest’s pride.
Separately, police issued a statement saying they view the Budapest Pride event as a “banned gathering.” The statement adds that “several assemblies” are set to be made simultaneously in the same location, while organisers say they are “liable” for any damages that may arise.
Orbán urges people not to join Budapest Pride March this week.
“If someone does something like this, there are clear legal procedures and they have to follow them,” Orbán said.
“But we are a civilized nation, we have never hurt each other and we have never had a civil war here. There is a bit of a bit in 56, but we don’t hurt each other without agreeing. That’s not part of Hungarian political culture,” he added.
