Indictment over organizing the Budapest Pride: rule-of-law dispute back on the agenda

The Hungarian prosecution service has brought charges against Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, over his role in organizing the 2025 Pride march, which had been banned by the police. The case quickly triggered international attention, as questions surrounding the right to assembly, Hungary’s so-called “child protection” legislation, and the rule of law have once again moved to the center of European political debates.

The prosecution’s move

The Hungarian prosecution service announced the indictment in late January. According to the charges, Karácsony violated rules governing the right of assembly when, in 2025, he took part in organizing the Pride march despite the authorities’ ban. The authorities’ position is that the ban was lawful and that disregarding it carries legal consequences. After the indictment, the mayor described the proceedings as politically motivated and stressed that organizing Pride was part of exercising freedom of assembly. The Hungarian government, by contrast, said the matter is legal in nature and not the result of a political decision.

International reactions

International news agencies, including Reuters, were among the first to report on the indictment. Reports recalled that in recent years Hungary has been regularly criticized by the European Union and several international organizations over the state of fundamental rights and the rule of law. Reuters noted that the case is linked to disputed interpretations surrounding Hungary’s “child protection” laws and restrictions on the right of assembly—an issue that has previously caused conflicts between Budapest and Brussels.

Rule-of-law context

In earlier reports, the European Commission has repeatedly voiced concerns about Hungary’s rule-of-law situation, particularly regarding civil rights and the protection of minorities. The current case connects to those disputes and is expected to return to the agenda in political consultations between the EU and Hungary. Analysts say the timing of the indictment—in the period ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections—may further increase the case’s political significance, even if the government consistently frames the proceedings as a legal matter.

Political consequences

The international press also highlighted that the case is significant domestically: the right of assembly and fundamental freedoms could become one of the campaign’s themes. The opposition says the proceedings may send a deterrent message, while the government emphasizes that the law applies equally to everyone.