EU’s Top Official Calls for Budapest Pride Parade to Go Ahead in Hungary
The European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, has urged the Hungarian authorities to allow the Pride Parade in Budapest to take place this weekend, despite the government’s ban.
Von der Leyen expressed her unwavering support and solidarity with the Budapest Pride and the LGBTQ+ community, stating that in Europe, fighting for one’s rights is a fundamental freedom. “You have the right to love whoever you love and be exactly who you are” she emphasized.
The EU, she said, stands for equality and non-discrimination and these values are enshrined in the Union’s treaties, requiring respect at all times and in all member states. The Commission’s President called on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to take place without fear of legal or administrative sanctions against the organizers or participants.
The Hungarian government had previously banned the planned June 19th Budapest Pride, the country’s largest annual LGBTQ event, citing unknown reasons. Budapest’s liberal Mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has announced his intention to hold the parade as a city event, defying the government’s ban.