People’s Assembly for Democracy and Freedom, Budapest 28th June

Join us in solidarity: Pride in LGBTQI+, Pride in Diversity, Pride in Democracy.

European Alternatives, in collaboration with EUMANS, invites citizens, activists, policy-makers, and institutions to a day of democratic engagement in Budapest on 28 June 2025, at Loffice, Paulay Ede u. 55, Budapest.

This event coincides with a historic and critical moment for civil society in Hungary and across Europe, as escalating government repression poses a serious threat to fundamental rights, freedoms, and democratic norms.

Standing against authoritarianism

The Hungarian government under Viktor Orbán has introduced a wave of oppressive measures, including:

• A constitutional amendment aimed at banning public events by LGBTQI+ people, including Budapest Pride, now in its 30th year.
• The legal authorisation of surveillance technology to identify participants in such events.
• Language in the constitution defining only two genders and threatening the citizenship of dual nationals.
• A “transparency and public sphere” draft law intended to silence civil society and all dissent.

These actions are a direct attack to the values of the European Union, enshrined in Article 2 of the EU treaties, and represent a broader authoritarian and patriarchal agenda. Protests against these policies in Hungary have been met with active repression.

A European response is urgently needed

This moment demands action. Following a recent visit by the LIBE Committee of the European Parliament, cross-party MEPs from the EPP, Greens, S&D and Renew are now calling on the European Commission to take meaningful steps under the ongoing Article 7 proceedings and bring the case to the European Court of Justice to halt these legal abuses.

We fully support this demand. As European citizens and members of civil society, we urge the Commission to act now to safeguard democracy for Hungary and for us all.

Read and sign our full statement here ➜

Budapest Pride: 30 Years of Resistance

The Budapest Pride March, one of Europe’s oldest and most resilient Pride events, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with the slogan: “We Are Home.” In the face of institutionalised intimidation, this message is more powerful than ever.

We call on all Europeans to stand in solidarity, in person or in spirit, on 28 June. To march. To speak. To resist. The assembly can be followed online, more information on this coming up soon.

Together, let us defend the right of everyone to:

• Be who they are.
• Love whom they choose.
• Speak out and assemble.
• Live without fear, surveillance and discrimination.

Join Us in Budapest – June 28

This gathering is not just a meeting. It is a call to action and a democratic convergence in the face of rising authoritarianism.

➡ Location: Loffice, Paulay Ede u. 55, Budapest. Starting at 9:30h
➡ Date: 28 June 2025
➡ Organisers: European Alternatives and EUMANS
➡ Occasion: 30th Anniversary of Budapest Pride

Programme

09:30–10:30 – General Assembly

10:30–13:00 – EUmans and Associazione Luca Coscioni Citizens’ Assembly on Democracy and Rule of Law

14:00 onwards – Participation in the 30th Budapest Pride alongside a broad coalition of human rights defenders and democratic allies.

During the assmebly, the following discussants will interact with participants:

- Tamás Dombos – Project Coordinator, Háttér Society
- Marco Cappato – President, Eumans
– Ophelie Masson – Deputy director of European Alternatives
– Niccolò Milanese – Director of European Alternatives
- Per Clausen – Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
- Brando Benifei – Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
- Elena Buscemi – President, Milan City Council
- Peter Sárosi – Executive Director, Rights Reporter Foundation

The entire event will be hybrid, with remote participation available via Zoom and automatic translation to ensure accessibility for all.

Let’s show that Europe is home for all who believe in equality, freedom, and dignity.