Charges against Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony for allowing a Pride march to proceed have been dropped, clearing a significant legal hurdle for the city's leadership. The charges, which alleged that the mayor had violated a controversial law restricting LGBTQ+ events in public spaces, had been seen as a bellwether for Hungary's tightening stance on civil liberties.
The decision by the Budapest prosecutor's office comes amid mounting international criticism of Hungary's human rights record. British human rights organisations, including Amnesty International UK and the Equal Rights Trust, have condemned the charges as part of a broader pattern of state interference with fundamental freedoms. In a joint statement, they said the dropped case did little to address systemic discrimination under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government.
Karácsony, a liberal opponent of Orbán, had faced potential imprisonment if convicted. His office welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for freedom of assembly. The Pride march, which drew thousands in June, had proceeded under police protection despite the legal threat.
The case has deepened diplomatic strains between Budapest and London, with UK ministers raising concerns over Hungary's compliance with EU human rights standards. A Foreign Office spokesperson said Britain remained 'deeply troubled' by the erosion of minority rights in Hungary.
Analysts note that the dropped charges are unlikely to change Hungary's broader legislative trajectory. The Orbán government has passed a series of laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights, including restrictions on the depiction of homosexuality to minors, which have drawn condemnation from the European Commission.
