Hungary‘s president has signed a law proposed by Viktor Orbán‘s ruling Fidesz party that bans the annual Gay Pride parade, defying criticism from human rights groups who say the law restricts freedom of assembly.

Yesterday afternoon protesters blocked a bridge in central Budapest after parliament passed the law.

The opposition reacted to the vote by throwing smoke bombs into parliament while the Russian national anthem was played at the same time. They even threw pictures showing Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin kissing.

The draft law, submitted on Monday (17.03.2025), was approved through an extraordinary procedure by a large majority of the ruling coalition supported by MPs (136 votes in favour, 27 against).

President Tamas Souliuc, former president of the Constitutional Court, who was elected to the post a year ago by the Fidesz parliamentary majority, signed the law.

The law bans the Pride Parade on the grounds that it can be harmful to children. It also stipulates that police can use identification cameras to identify people participating in the parade and fine participants.

Orban has always been critical of the LGBTQ+ community and the wider woke and gay agenda.

His policies often put him at odds with other EU countries.

Pride organizers said they plan to go ahead with this year’s parade, which is scheduled for June 28, despite the ban.