Orban's right-wing party passed legislation in March that created a legal basis for police to ban LGBTQ marches.

Tens of thousands of Hungarians have descended on Budapest to attend the pride march, in open defiance of far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orban who banned the event.

Politically, Orban’s inability to stop Pride from going ahead risks projecting weakness at a time when his Fidesz party is trailing in the polls. However, a heavy-handed police response could also deepen public dissatisfaction and further undermine his support.