The European Parliament clashed yet again over Budapest Pride and a Hungarian law, with Fidesz MEPs denouncing "double standards" and critics calling for EU intervention.Continue reading
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed her support for the participants of Saturday’s planned Budapest Pride parade and the entire LGBTQ+ “community” in a video message on X. She called on the Hungarian authorities to ensure that Pride can take place without the organizers or participants having to fear any kind of retaliation. She did not have to wait long from a reply from Budapest.
I call on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead. Without fear of any criminal or administrative sanctions against the organizers or participants. To the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary and beyond: I will always be your ally.”
she said in the video uploaded to X.
I call on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead.
Without fear of any criminal or administrative sanctions against the organisers or participants.
To the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary and beyond:
I will always be your ally. pic.twitter.com/Wz0GBFRz8C
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 25, 2025
The German politician emphasized that peaceful demonstrations for human rights are a fundamental freedom in Europe, to which everyone is entitled—just as everyone has the right to love whom they love and to be who they truly are. As she put it, the European Union is based on equality and non-discrimination, which all Member States are obliged to respect.
The video comes after a very public push by several MEPs for Ursula von der Leyen to address the situation of the Pride Parade in Budapest in light of the new Law on Assembly.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán responded quickly, underlining that the European Commission has no authority over such decisions.
I urge the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the law enforcement affairs of Member States, where it has no role to play. I also call on the Commission to focus its efforts on the pressing challenges facing the European Union—areas where it does have a clear role and responsibility, and where it has made serious mistakes in recent years, such as the energy crisis and the erosion of European competitiveness.”
Dear Madam President,
I urge the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the law enforcement affairs of Member States, where it has no role to play.
I also call on the Commission to focus its efforts on the pressing challenges facing the European Union—areas where it… https://t.co/QHlJofeC6F
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) June 25, 2025
As a response to Ursula von der Leyen’s video, Balázs Orbán, the Political Director of PM Viktor Orbán, criticized the EU Commission President saying that under her leadership, peace, competitiveness, and efficiency have declined, while LGBTQ-related policies have expanded—implying that the EU is focusing on ideology instead of solving real problems.
The track record of @vonderleyen:
peace
competitiveness
efficiency
LGBTQ propaganda https://t.co/JH3Rpgkhf6— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) June 25, 2025
András László, Fidesz MEP also stepped in, echoing the same idea as the Prime Minister, writing:
Social policy and child protection are national competence. Foreign policy is national competence. Border protection and national security are national competence. I call on the Commission to stop promoting gender ideology, open borders and the war in Ukraine. Europeans want peace, prosperity and freedom.
Social policy and child protection are national competence.
Foreign policy is national competence.
Border protection and national security are national competence.I call on the Commission to stop promoting gender ideology, open borders and the war in Ukraine.
Europeans want…
— András LÁSZLÓ MEP (@laszloan) June 25, 2025
Member of the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group and Germany’s AfD (Alternative for Germany), Christine Anderson fiercely defended Hungary’s choice at a debate in the European Parliament:
You want to protest…fine, but put on some clothes!”
she said during her speech.
“Hungary remains stable and bans “Pride Parades.” No public display of hypersexualized escapades to protect the mental health of our children. Good for them! The rainbow mafia is screaming, crying, and whining, and Brussels is once again threatening sanctions against a country that is simply deciding for itself what is good for it. The matter is clear: You want to protest? OK! But for God’s sake, put some clothes on while you’re doing it!” she concluded.
| Ungarn bleibt stabil und verbietet die „Pride Parades“. Keine öffentliche Zurschaustellung hypersexualisierter Eskapaden zum Schutz der mentalen Gesundheit unserer Kinder. Gut so!
️⚡️ Die Regenbogen-Mafia schreit, heult und jammert und Brüssel droht wieder einmal… pic.twitter.com/2y4E3ZsNr6
— Christine Anderson (@AndersonAfDMdEP) June 23, 2025
Spanish MEP Jorge Buxadé, member of the Patriots for Europe group condemned Ursula von der Leyen, accusing the European Commission President of ignoring serious issues like corruption and overreach while interfering in Hungary’s sovereign affairs.
The world is in flames. Corruption is devouring Brussels. You have been condemned by the CJEU. And yet you still insist on interfering in internal matters that fall within the powers of a sovereign nation? Leave the Hungarian people alone.”
The world is in flames. Corruption is devouring Brussels. You have been condemned by the CJEU. And yet you still insist on interfering in internal matters that fall within the powers of a sovereign nation? Leave the Hungarian people alone. And leave us Spaniards alone too. Your…
— Jorge Buxadé (@Jorgebuxade) June 25, 2025
At this time, based on statements made by Mayor Gergely Karácsony, the Budapest Pride march will be held on June 28, jointly organized by the Szivárvány Misszió Alapítvány (Rainbow Mission Foundation) and the city of Budapest.
Via X; Featured photo: MTI/Purger Tamás
