Standing in defiance of attempts by the Hungarian government to silence the LGBTIQ+ community and its allies, a delegation from the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament (S&D) will be present in Budapest on Friday, 27 June and Saturday, 28 June, 2025.
S&D MEPs will be in the Hungarian capital to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the rule of law and fundamental rights for all. In the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg, S&D President Iratxe García confirmed that the Group will join Pride in Budapest – for freedom and equality.
As part of the S&D mission, media present in Budapest are invited to attend dedicated media opportunities.
At the start of the visit, upon arriving in Budapest, S&D President Iratxe García will hold a press point at 14:45 on Friday, 27 June, 2025 at the Radisson Blu Béke hotel. For media registration, please contact: s-d.press@europarl.europa.eu.
From 16:30 until 18:30 on Friday, 27 June, the S&D Group will hold an outreach event titled "Banned by Law – Backed by Love" at the KAZI BAR, Kazinczy utca 34, Budapest, Hungary. S&D speakers at the event include S&D President Iratxe García, S&D Vice-President Ana Catarina Mendes, head of the S&D Hungarian delegation Klára Dobrev, and European Parliament Quaestor and Chair of the LGBTIQ+ intergroup of the European Parliament, Marc Angel. The event is open to media. Registration through the S&D website is required and available here.
Later on Friday, 27 June, S&D members, including S&D President Iratxe García, will participate in the Budapest Pride Freedom Celebration organised by the Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony.
On Saturday, 28 June, S&D members will hold an exchange of views with civil society representatives at the European Parliament LGBTIQ+ Intergroup Event chaired by S&D MEP Marc Angel.
Later on Saturday, 28 June, the S&D delegation will assemble with other members of the Party of European Socialists (PES) family ahead of the planned Pride celebrations. They will meet at the Radisson Blu Béke hotel from 12:00 onwards. Media are invited to take on the spot reactions from those present.
