Hungarian police have banned this year’s main Pride march from taking place in Budapest on June 28, citing a controversial law. However, the city’s mayor, Gergely Karacsony, has vowed that the march will go ahead as planned.

Authorities Cite Child Protection Law

In a statement on Thursday, police said the decision followed their authority over public events. “The police, acting within their authority over public assemblies, prohibit the holding of the assembly at the aforementioned location and time,” the statement said.

The ban is based on a law that forbids promoting same-sex relationships to minors. Police argued that children could be present along the march route, making it illegal under current rules.

They added that any appeal against the decision must go to Hungary’s supreme court within three days.

Mayor: March Doesn’t Need Police Approval

Budapest’s liberal mayor rejected the police ban. He said the city would still host the march as a city event.

“Budapest city hall will organise the Budapest Pride march on June 28 as a city event. Period,” he wrote on Facebook.
He argued the police ban was meaningless because the event did not require approval, since the city council itself is organizing it.

Earlier this week, the mayor had already said the city would take over the event’s planning to bypass the recently introduced anti-LGBTQ law.

Government Accuses Mayor of Bypassing the Law

The national government quickly pushed back. On Wednesday, Gergely Gulyas, the head of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s office, accused the mayor of trying to “cheat” the system.

“All events of this type have to be announced, and the police have the right to ban them,” he said.
“No serious legal expert would try to dispute that.”

Hungarian Parliament Tightens Anti-LGBTQ Rules

In March, the Hungarian parliament passed a new law allowing officials to ban any event that violates the 2021 law. That law forbids the “display or promotion of homosexuality” to people under 18.

In Thursday’s decision, police said the Pride march “by its very nature cannot be held without the representation” of LGBTQ people. They said if even one child was present, the event could break the law.

“If it cannot be stated with absolute certainty that the display is not taking place in the presence of persons under 18 years of age, the assembly would be in breach of the ban,” the police explained.

In April, Hungarian lawmakers approved constitutional changes to support these legal restrictions and strengthen the power to block such marches.

Authorities Suggest Closed-Door Events Instead

Government officials suggested that if organisers wanted to hold Pride, they could do so in private spaces like a stadium, out of public view, especially away from children.

Public Protests Erupt Over Ban

The ban triggered a strong reaction from civil society. Thousands protested in Budapest, blocking bridges and calling on authorities to reverse the ban.

Organisers also said that several Members of the European Parliament and EU ministers would still attend the parade.
Hadja Lahbib, the European Union’s Commissioner for Equality, also plans to join the event.

Participants Face Fines and Surveillance

Authorities warned that anyone who joins the march could be fined up to 500 euros ($570). They said the money would go toward "child protection" programs.

Police may also use facial recognition technology to identify participants.

Ongoing Clash Between Local and National Leaders

This standoff highlights a growing divide between Budapest’s liberal local leadership and the conservative national government.
While the police and government push to enforce the anti-LGBTQ law, Mayor Karacsony insists on protecting freedom of assembly and expression.

With just days left until June 28, the legal and political battle over Budapest Pride continues to intensify.