Ciarán Cuffe, co-chair of the European Green Party, said:
“We are very happy that this year’s Budapest Pride has received approval from the police. It is a hopeful signal for democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary after years of attacks on the LGBTQI+ community.”
“We still have vivid memories of last year’s Budapest Pride 2025, when far-right Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán tried to ban the Pride, and the Green Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, had to shield it behind the label of a ‘municipal event’ in order for it to go ahead. Karácsony even got indicted in December by prosecutors for his support for the Pride, but he did exactly what any democratic leader should: he protected the rights, dignity, and safety of his citizens. It became a beautiful moment, with a record 200,000 people attending, defending the rights of the LGBTI community, but also defending freedom for everybody.”
Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green Party added:
“Last year’s Pride became one of the largest freedom marches in decades and an act of defiance against Orbán. It showed the people that they were not alone, that Orbán could be defeated, which culminated into his landslide electoral defeat. The message that, when people mobilise, they can free themselves from far-right autocrats is very inspiring for the people in Turkey, in Serbia, and for everyone all over the world who is fighting for democracy and freedom.”
“The European Greens sent a strong delegation to the Budapest Pride 2025, and this year, I will definitely return to Budapest Pride to celebrate this happy outcome with our Green Mayor, Gergely Karácsony.”
Karácsony’s party, Dialogue - The Greens' Party (Párbeszéd - A Zöldek Pártja), joined the European Green Party in 2023.