In a Facebook video posted on 11 December, Karácsony described the accusation of violating the new law on freedom of assembly as “completely absurd.” The law, passed in March 2025, restricts public gatherings that display deviations from sex assigned at birth, gender reassignment, or homosexuality to children.

Karácsony, a member of the Green Party and a vocal opponent of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, ensured that Pride could go ahead by organising the event as an official city-sponsored occasion rather than a regular public demonstration. This meant that the march formally fell outside the scope of the national ban, as municipal events do not require police permits. “As it is a municipal celebration of freedom, no permits from the authorities are needed,” Karácsony said at the time.

“I am proud that I took every political risk for the sake of my city’s freedom,” the mayor said in response to the recommendation for prosecution. “I will stand before the court with my head held high to defend my own freedom and that of my city.”

Despite warnings from Orbán that organisers and participants would face legal consequences, several European politicians showed their support by attending the march. The European Green Party described the police’s recommendation to prosecute Karácsony as “a shocking abuse of power by the Orbán regime.”