Hungarian police say they will not ban next month’s Budapest Pride parade, reversing a decision made last year. Multiple outlets report that the police statement indicates there are “no grounds” to prevent the event from going ahead. The reversal follows a change of government: Hungary’s right-wing nationalist administration that had supported restrictions on Pride was voted out in April after 16 years in power.
Last year’s attempt to block Pride drew widespread international attention after the Orbán-era Fidesz government backed legislation that created a legal basis to restrict or ban Pride events. The government said the measures were intended to protect children, a rationale that drew broad criticism. Police previously acted on orders linked to the former government to try to stop the parade.
With the new police position, the event is set to proceed, marking a shift in how authorities handle demonstrations related to LGBTQ+ rights in Budapest.
