The Budapest Pride march is scheduled to move forward on Saturday, and is expected to defy the legal threats to LGBTQ rights activists from Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban.
The organizers in March are hoping to attend this year’s record-breaking attendance despite pressure from conservative nationalist politicians and police to stop displaying Pro-LGBTQ materials.
Police have issued a ban in line with the new “Child Protection” Act, which limits gatherings that are believed to promote homosexuality.
The day before pride, Orban downplayed the possibility of a violent clash between police and participants, but warned those facing the possibility of legal consequences.
“Of course, the police could disband such events, because they have the authority to do so, but Hungary is a civilized country, a civil society. We won’t hurt each other,” Orban told provincial radio on Friday.
“There are legal consequences, but you can’t reach the level of physical abuse.”
Participants will be fined up to 500 euros (427 pounds, $586) and police are authorized to use facial recognition technology to identify them.
Organizers could face a year’s prison sentence.
Hajja Rabib, a former Belgian Foreign Minister and EU Equality Commissioner, is expected to be in Budapest and join the march along with dozens of MEPs.
On Friday, Rabib posted a photo showing him standing with the liberal mayor of Budapest in front of the rainbow flag, symbolizing gay rights.
The Pride March “will become a powerful symbol of the strength of civil society,” she wrote in X.
Prior to his pride, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked the Orban government not to stop the march.
Orban had sought EU member states to “request to refrain from interfering with law enforcement.”
