European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on Hungary to allow the recently banned Budapest Pride march to go ahead.

Ursula von der Leyen has sent a video message of solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary, in the context of the ban on the Budapest Pride march. She called on the Hungarian authorities to allow the event to go ahead without legal threats. This is a direct appeal in the dispute with Viktor Orban's government, accused by Brussels of violating EU values. Hungary's recently passed law restricting LGBTIQ+ demonstrations has sparked criticism and the mayor of Budapest has announced an alternative event. Orban rejected the European Commission's intervention, suggesting it should focus on other issues.