The Budapest Pride Parade is expected to take place on Saturday, contrary to the legal threat from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to LGBTQ rights activists.
Despite the constant pressure from nationalist Conservative politicians and police to stop any pressure to showcase Pro-LGBTQ materials, March organizers hope for record attendance this year.
Police have issued an injunction that complies with a new “child protection” law that restricts gatherings considered to be promoting homosexuality.
On the day before pride, Orban downplayed the possibility of violent clashes between police and participants – but warned those facing possible legal impacts.
“Of course, police can break down such incidents because they have the right to do so, but Hungary is a civilized country, a civil society. We won’t hurt each other,” Orr told state radio on Friday.
“There will be legal consequences but not reach the level of physical abuse.”
Participants have fines up to €500 (£427; $586) and police have the right to use facial recognition technology to identify them.
Organizers can face one year in prison.
EU Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, former Belgian Foreign Minister, is in Budapest and is expected to join the march with dozens of European Parliament members.
On Friday, Lahbib posted a photo showing her status with Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony, a rainbow flag symbolizing gay rights.
She wrote on X.
Pride, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked the Orban government not to stop the march.
Orban was not shocked and asked her to “avoid interfere in law enforcement affairs in EU member states.”
