Spanish
Budapest, June 28 (EFE).- Around 70 MEPs and dozens of other political figures, such as national and regional deputies from different European countries, are participating this Saturday in the Budapest Pride march to show their solidarity with the LGBTI community, in an act of defiance to the Hungarian Prime Minister, the far-right Viktor Orbán, who is trying to veto this type of celebration.
"I think there are about 70 MEPs," explained Spaniard Iratxe García, president of the Social Democrats (S&D) group, when asked by EFE, although she acknowledged that it was difficult to give a specific number due to the large presence of members of the European Parliament.
"I don't know if we will be able to give the total number, because there are many, many... I know many colleagues from my country, from Spain, from the national Parliament, from the regional parliaments, from my political group, from different national parliaments: Italy, Netherlands, Spain. But it's difficult to say for sure," he added.
Among the participants in the march are the second vice president of the Spanish Government, Yolanda Díaz, and the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun.
The statements of the Social Democrat representative were made during a press conference that was also attended by the president of the Renew Europe liberal group, Valérie Hayer, the co-chair of the Greens, Terry Reintke, and the co-leader of the Left, Manon Aubry.
Personally, two MEPs from the European People's Party will also be in the march, but no one from that political family participated in the press conference held before the start of the march.
The spokespersons of these groups agreed at the press conference that the defense of the freedoms of the Hungarian LGBTI community is a matter that concerns the entire European Union.
They also warned about the authoritarian drift of Orbán's government and called on the European Commission and member states to take action, including the activation of Article 7 of the EU Treaty, which could restrict Hungary's right to vote in the Council.
Despite an official ban, Budapest hosts the Pride March this Saturday, amid great expectation and with the participation of dozens of European politicians and deputies, who have come to the Hungarian capital to show their support for the LGBT community.
"We cannot simply watch as a European democracy descends into authoritarianism," said the liberal Valérie Hayer.
Manon Aubry added that "people cannot be forbidden from loving whomever they wish or living as they want."
Despite the government's ban, the march can be held because the mayor of Budapest, the ecologist Gergely Karácsony, declared it a municipal celebration and, therefore, does not require permits from national authorities.
The 30th edition of the so-called 'Budapest Pride' has thus become a test of strength between Orbán's ultranationalist government and the mayor of Budapest.
According to the government's interpretation and a police resolution, today's parade is prohibited, as minors are exposed to the topic of non-heterosexual sexual orientations.
The Government warns participants that they may be fined up to 200,000 forints (approximately 500 euros).
The march is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM local time (1:00 PM GMT) in downtown Budapest.
The far-right parliamentary party 'Mi Hazánk' has announced a counter-demonstration authorized by the police for the same afternoon, which will likely be held near the Pride parade route.
Karácsony has therefore urged the Hungarian police to ensure that no clashes occur between Pride participants and their opponents.
