Denmark, Sweden and Finland have joined a growing bloc of European Union countries urging the Hungarian government to reverse recent legislation banning LGBTQ+ Pride events, including the Budapest Pride originally scheduled for 28 June.
The move, coordinated by the Netherlands, marks a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán‘s administration amid increasing concerns over civil rights restrictions.
Hungary accused of systemic violations
The joint declaration, now signed by 20 EU member states, condemns legislative and constitutional amendments passed by the Hungarian Parliament on 18 March and 14 April 2025. These measures, critics say, represent a clear infringement of the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Specifically, they allow the authorities to fine organisers and participants of LGBTQ+ events and authorise the use of facial recognition technology to identify and sanction attendees.
The legislation has already been used to prohibit pro-LGBTQ+ gatherings. On 26 May, Budapest police cited the new rules to cancel a demonstration planned for 1 June. According to the declaration, the legal framework introduced under the pretext of “protecting minors” poses serious threats to freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to privacy. These rights are protected under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.
Pride bans trigger coordinated EU response
The condemnation, initiated by the Netherlands, was joined by Germany, France, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland. Several countries, including Poland (currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council), chose not to sign the declaration—a customary neutrality expected during a presidency. Others, such as Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Croatia, also abstained.
Despite lacking the unanimity required to impose sanctions under Article 7 of the EU Treaties, the joint statement reflects mounting frustration among EU capitals over Orbán‘s domestic agenda. The EU‘s so-called “preventive arm” of Article 7 requires a four-fifths majority (22 of 27 member states) to establish the existence of a serious and persistent breach of EU values. So far, 20 countries have endorsed the initiative, meaning that only two more would be needed to trigger this step.
Orbán under mounting pressure
The eighth hearing of Hungary under Article 7 procedures took place during the General Affairs Council meeting on 27 May. Although no formal sanctions were adopted, several governments signalled they are ready to act if Budapest continues to erode democratic guarantees.
At the same meeting, 25 delegations backed conclusions on strengthening EU “democratic resilience”, with Hungary and Slovakia declining to endorse the document. The conclusions call for improved rule of law protections, support for independent media, and enhanced safeguards against disinformation and external interference.
The political shift is also visible in Germany‘s recent repositioning. CDU leader Friedrich Merz has distanced himself from the more cautious stances of former chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, placing Germany firmly among Hungary‘s critics. Meanwhile, Members of the European Parliament are pushing the European Commission to consider urgent legal action to suspend Hungary‘s ban and protect the right of peaceful assembly.
Financial leverage and future scenarios
Currently, between €18 and €20 billion in EU funds earmarked for Hungary remain frozen due to rule of law concerns. Some MEPs are demanding a complete suspension of all financial support unless the government in Budapest complies with core EU principles. In parallel, the Commission has urged Hungary to withdraw a controversial new bill on “public life transparency”, which critics argue could be used to silence dissent and label NGOs as foreign agents.
EU Commissioner for Democracy and Justice, Michael McGrath, stressed that the Commission “is monitoring the situation very closely” and “does not rule out any course of action”. On the question of the Pride ban, he reaffirmed that “the right to peaceful assembly is not a threat to children or anyone else. It is a cornerstone of our democracy.”
With Hungary increasingly isolated, the coming weeks could prove decisive in shaping the EU‘s approach to enforcing its foundational values against persistent internal backsliding.
