The pride of Hungary's Budapest should be held at “closed venues” this year, not at streets in the city centre, as Prime Minister Victor Orban said in the previous year, citing child protection. .
The plan, released Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orban's restrictions on LGBTQ+ community activities as nationalist leaders prepare for the 2026 election.
It was unclear whether the government intended to move the event inside and restrict access.
Community members said Pride was a family-friendly event and pose no threat to children. The marching organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Orban, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, told supporters on Saturday that this year, “you shouldn't worry about it” as the event will be a “waste of money and time” this year.
His chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, told news site 24.HU on Wednesday that he should not retain his pride as he had in the past. He said the goal is to “enforce a child protection perspective” and he doesn't see such risks with “pride held in closed spaces.”
For decades, Pride participants have been handling Andrássy Avenue, a spacious tree-lined path in Budapest city centre.
Orbán has been in power since 2010, promoting the agenda of Christian conservatives and banning “promoting homosexuality” under the age of 18 in 2021 despite strong criticism from rights groups and the EU .
His government says that the law appealing to Fidesz's core voter base is intended to protect children and does not target the LGBTQ+ community.
The law has caused anxiety among gay, bisexual and transgender Hungarians. The European Commission introduced Hungary to the EU courts in mid-2022.
Gay marriage is not accepted in Hungary, and the Orban government has redefine marriage as a union between one man and one woman in the constitution and a limited adoption of gays.
