Budapest mayor questioned by police over banned pride march

In Budapest, the mayor, Gergely Karacsony, was questioned by the police regarding the city's decision to ban a pride march. The march was scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 23rd, but the authorities prohibited it, citing safety concerns. Karacsony, a member of the opposition party, strongly criticized the ban, stating that "neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest." He argued that the decision to prohibit the march was a violation of the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The incident has sparked a debate about LGBTQ+ rights and the role of local government in regulating public events. Supporters of the pride march have condemned the ban, while the authorities maintain that their decision was made to ensure public safety. The questioning of the mayor by the police underscores the political tensions surrounding this issue in Hungary, where the conservative government has faced criticism for its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.