Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Budapest on Saturday for the 31st annual Pride march, the first to take place since former Prime Minister Viktor Orban lost power in April after 16 years in office. The event also marked the first Pride under the new government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his Tisza party, following years of restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights introduced during Orban's tenure.
The parade unfolded under extreme heat, with temperatures climbing to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) as a record-breaking heat wave swept across much of Europe. Organizers handed out water to participants, while the city's public utility opened drinking fountains along the route to help people cope with the conditions.
Marchers gathered near Budapest's Opera House before making their way through the city center and across the Erzsebet Bridge spanning the Danube River. Rainbow flags, music, and dancing accompanied the procession as members of Hungary's LGBTQ+ community and thousands of supporters celebrated together.
For many participants, the atmosphere reflected the country's political shift. Luca Uj, attending Pride for the third time, said the mood had noticeably changed following Orban's departure from office. “There used to be a lot of tension. But now I see people as being somehow happier, and there are more older people, too,” she said.
