Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has labeled the Budapest Pride Parade held on Saturday as “disgusting and shameful”, accusing the European Union of pushing opposition politicians to organize the event, which also turned into a protest against his government, local media reported on Sunday.
The march has grown into one of the most vocal opposition platforms against Orbán in recent years. According to reports, over 100,000 participants defied police restrictions and threats of fines to attend the event.
Speaking in a closed online group with his supporters, Orbán allegedly said that politicians directed by “Brussels” encouraged people to join the march, according to Hungary’s Index media outlet, citing Reuters.
“Since yesterday, we are even more certain that these people [opposition politicians] should not be allowed to lead the government. And we won’t let them,” Orbán reportedly told his supporters.
However, he offered no evidence to support his claims.
The event was organized by the municipality of Budapest, led by Gergely Karácsony, a longtime political opponent of Orbán and someone the government has often labeled as a “puppet” of Brussels.
The European Commission has not commented on Orbán’s statements.
Orbán described the event as “disgusting,” specifically criticizing moments during the parade where men wore high heels and held signs advocating for hormone therapy.
The parade had technically been banned, citing a law passed in March which bans Pride parades, allegedly to protect children from exposure to LGBTQ lifestyles.
Opposition voices have condemned the ban, calling it another step toward authoritarianism and a suppression of democratic freedoms, especially with national elections approaching next year.
Orbán’s party, Fidesz, has dominated Hungarian politics for over 15 years.
