On Saturday, 27 June 2026, Budapest will host its first Budapest Pride march since the change of government in Hungary. The organisers are hoping for a peaceful event, whilst acknowledging the fears of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Budapest Pride 2026 will be the first march following the change of government in Hungary.
- The police have authorised the event; a peaceful march is expected.
- Despite these changes, laws restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community remain in force.
- Human rights activists are calling for genuine legislative changes.
- Participants still feel afraid because of social stigma.
The first Budapest Pride march since the change of government
On Saturday, 27 June 2026, the first march will take place in Budapest Budapest Pride following the parliamentary elections, in which the Fidesz party Viktor Orban lost power. The new government was led by the Tisza Party, headed by Peter Magyar. The police have officially authorised the event, which the organisers expect to take place peacefully.
«This year’s march symbolises hope, caution and perseverance all at once,» said a representative of the organising committee Petra Buzash.
During Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, the Hungarian government pursued policies aimed at restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The law that caused the greatest controversy effectively banned Pride parades, making it the first such case among European Union countries. Last year, despite the restrictions, Budapest Pride went ahead anyway, attracting over 200,000 participants.
Change of government: cautious hopes
The new Prime Minister Peter Magyar Following his election victory, he stated that he aims to build a country where “no one will be stigmatised because of their views or because of who they love”. However, his government has not yet repealed the legislation passed during Orbán’s time, which restricts references to LGBTQ+ issues in schools, the media and bookshops, makes it more difficult for same-sex couples to adopt children, and does not allow for the legal recognition of the gender identity of transgender and intersex people.
Human rights organisations stress that symbolic statements are not enough. They are calling on the new government to move towards genuine legislative changes that will ensure equal rights for all citizens.
Fear and hope amongst the participants
The organisers point out that many members of the LGBTQ+ community are still afraid to speak openly about their personal lives. This fear has arisen as a result of years of state rhetoric and social stigmatisation. At the same time, they note certain positive signs following the change of government and hope that these signs will lead to concrete decisions.
Budapest Pride remains one of the best-known symbols of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Central and Eastern Europe. The first march since the change of government will serve as a test of whether the new Hungarian authorities are ready to move from declarations of democratic change to practical steps in the field of human rights and civil liberties.
