Government · Budapest
Tens of thousands march in Budapest Pride, first since Orban's defeat, as heatwave grips Hungary
Budapest hosted its first Gay Pride parade since Viktor Orban's electoral defeat in April, with tens of thousands braving a 38°C heatwave to celebrate what participants called a new era of freedom for LGBTQ+ people.
AI text based on reports by Ziare.com, Libertatea, Stirile ProTV and other publishers. Published . How it is made
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In brief
The parade on 27 June 2026 was the first since Viktor Orban lost elections to Peter Magyar in April, ending 16 years of conservative rule.
Tens of thousands attended, fewer than the 200,000 who joined last year's banned protest but more than the roughly 35,000 of earlier annual editions.
Organisers advised vulnerable people to follow online, distributed free water, and asked attendees to bring their own supplies amid record temperatures.
European Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called the march proof of a new beginning and a historic shift for the nation.
Despite the ban lift, PM Peter Magyar has not introduced legislative changes to reverse Orban-era restrictions on gender recognition, adoption, and school materials.
A parade after 16 years
Tens of thousands of people marched through Budapest on Saturday, 27 June, in the first Pride parade since Viktor Orban lost power in April elections after 16 years of conservative rule. Orban had banned the event in 2025 and multiplied anti-LGBTQ+ policies during his tenure. The ban triggered a defiant 200,000-strong demonstration last year, far above the roughly 35,000 who attended previous editions.
A changed atmosphere
Participants described a markedly more relaxed and optimistic atmosphere compared to 2025. Fanni Fajth, an 18-year-old student, noted the political change had lifted spirits. Mate Tarnai, a 51-year-old chemist, said the biggest difference was the country's political shift, adding that he felt more personal freedom.
“Everyone is much more optimistic. I think it would be wonderful if we finally had equal rights after all these years.”
EU and local leaders hail the moment
European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib and Budapest's green mayor Gergely Karacsony addressed a press conference. Lahbib told participants their 2025 march had helped change history and called this year's Pride proof of a new beginning.
“Last year you marched, you were hundreds of thousands from 30 countries. This march did not just mark history. It helped change history - and what a difference this year!”
Heatwave forces precautions
Organisers decided to hold the march despite the crushing heat, with temperatures reaching 38°C according to the Hungarian government website. Vulnerable people were advised to watch online. Free water was distributed, but stocks were limited and participants were urged to bring their own bottles.
Rights on hold under new government
Peter Magyar, the conservative pro-EU leader who unseated Orban, lifted the ban but has not yet taken concrete steps to restore rights stripped under Orban in the name of child protection. Those include bans on gender changes in official documents, adoption by same-sex couples and school materials seen as promoting homosexuality or gender transition. Magyar has urged patience when questioned by Hungarian media about legislative changes.
“Politicians have the power to make society understand that it's okay to be gay.”
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Sources and context
- Ziare.comZeci de mii de participanți la parada Gay din Budapesta, în ciuda caniculei. Este primul marș după plecarea de la putere a lui Viktor Orban
- LibertateaPrima paradă Pride în Budapesta după căderea regimului Orban, care încerca an de an să oprească manifestările
- Stirile ProTVBudapesta a găzduit din nou Gay Pride, după regimul Orban. Mii de oameni au defilat în ciuda caniculei - Știrile ProTV
- Digi24Zeci de mii de persoane, în ciuda caniculei, la primul marș Pride din Budapesta după era Orban
- Viktor Orban
- Former Hungarian prime minister, defeated in April 2026 elections, under whose government LGBTQ+ rights were curtailed and Pride was banned in 2025.
- Peter Magyar
- Conservative pro-EU Hungarian prime minister who won the April 2026 elections, ending Orban's 16-year rule. He lifted the Pride ban but has yet to restore LGBTQ+ rights.
- Hadja Lahbib
- European Commissioner for Equality who addressed the press conference alongside Budapest's mayor, describing the Pride as proof of a new beginning.
- Gergely Karacsony
- Green mayor of Budapest who appeared at the press conference with Commissioner Lahbib.
- Fanni Fajth
- 18-year-old student who attended the Pride and said the atmosphere was much more optimistic after the political change.
- Mate Tarnai
- 51-year-old chemist and Pride participant who noted increased personal freedom and a more relaxed national atmosphere.
- Boglarka Boruzs
- 23-year-old translator and Pride attendee who said politicians can help society accept LGBTQ+ people.
- Petra Toth
- 18-year-old from a southern Hungarian town who attended her first Pride with her partner and credited the government change for improvement.
- Places
- Budapest
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