Budapest Pride expected to be a rallying cry against Orbán’s rollback of rights
Good morning and welcome to the Europe live blog. My name is Tom Ambrose and I’ll be bringing you all the latest news lines.
We start with news that record numbers of people are expected to take part in Budapest Pride on Saturday. Hungarians will join forces with campaigners and politicians from across Europe in the march that has become a potent symbol of pushback against the Hungarian government’s steady rollback of rights.
“This weekend, all eyes are on Budapest,” Hadja Lahbib, the European commissioner for equality, told reporters in the Hungarian capital on Friday.
“This is bigger than one Pride celebration, one Pride march. It is about the right to be who you are, to love who you want, whether it is in Budapest, in Brussels or anywhere else.”
The country’s main Pride march was cast into doubt earlier this year after the country’s ruling Fidesz party – led by the rightwing populist Viktor Orbán – backed legislation that created a legal basis for Pride to be banned, citing a widely criticised need to protect children.
The government also said it would use facial recognition software to identify people attending any banned events, potentially fining them up to €500 (£425).
The move caused outrage from within Hungary and beyond, turning Budapest Pride into a rallying cry against a government that has long faced criticism for weakening democratic institutions and gradually undermining the rule of law.
Read the full story here:
In other developments:
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Severe weather warnings have been issued across southern Europe, including in Italy, Spain and Portugal, with temperatures expected to get close to or locally even above 40C this weekend, prompting concerns about health hazards and wildfires (14:32).
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Expected temperatures on early Saturday afternoon: Madrid 38C, Thessaloníki 38C, Florence 38C, Rome 37C, Lisbon 36C, Tirana 36C, Athens 35C.
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It will be hot in Paris (32C) and still warm in London and Berlin 28C, and in Brussels 27C.
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European leaders failed to agree on the latest, 18th, package of sanctions at last night’s European Council meeting in Brussels, with Hungary and Slovakia holding firm in their opposition to the proposed measures.
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But it’s worth noting that the EU has agreed on rolling over the already existing sanctions against Russia, which were due to expire.
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In Germany, lawmakers agreed to suspend family reunification rights for refugees without asylum status as conservative chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government pursues a crackdown on immigration.
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Estonia’s stated intention to let Nato allies’ nuclear-capable aircraft use its territory was a direct threat to Moscow.
Key events
By Lili Rutai in Budapest
“I’m a Budapest resident, who cares about freedom,” says Mici, 21, a student who has been to multiple pride marches, but thought about coming to this one carefully because of the reported facial recognition system.
She has sought legal advice on what to do if she encounters police, but she felt safe in the crowd. “At first, I was scared to come out because of the news, but I feel safe with so many people.”
“We can’t just say that it’s not going to change, and not participate,” she adds. “I think the crowds from across Europe, the record numbers, will make Hungarian people see that this cause is well-supported.” She “hopes” it will also change the government’s view.
Elton, 30, a Brazilian living in Hungary wore a hat and sunglasses. He was afraid for his job and immigration status, but his Hungarian boyfriend persuaded him to attend. “This is my second time at Pride, but the first time I feel insecure about it,” he said.
By Lili Rutai in Budapest
“At least this brought the family together,” says Timi, 49, who came with 23-year-old daughter, Zsófi. Zsófi lives in Barcelona, and came home for Pride.
She has attended multiple marches before, but this is the first time she brought her parents along. They are among the many for whom the restrictions on assembly were the last straw. “We came (to Pride) because they tried to ban it,” Timi says. “And we stand for every minority.”
Viki Márton, 46, a single parent, came with her 9-year-old daughter. For both of them, this is the first time at Pride. She was widowed, and, without a husband “this regime doesn’t treat us like a family,” she says, so she sympathises with sexual minorities. They came equipped with hats, water spray, and a swimsuit, more worried about heat than right-wing protesters.
“I want her to see the reality,” Márton added. “And I’m so excited to be here!”
Here are some views from people attending the march in Budapest.
“The right to assembly is a basic human right, and I don’t think it should be banned. Just because someone does not like the reason why you go to the street, or they do not agree with it, you still have the right to do so,” Krisztina Aranyi said.
“This is about much more, not just about homosexuality, …. This is the last moment to stand up for our rights,” Eszter Rein Bodi said.
“None of us are free until everyone is free,” one sign read.
Some more photos from this afternoon’s pride march in Budapest…
Helen Davidson
Taiwan’s vice-president has said she will not be intimidated after reports by Czech intelligence that Chinese officials planned to stage a car collision when she was in Prague last year.
Hsiao Bi-khim visited the Czech Republic in March 2024, in the first overseas visit by her and Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, after winning the election in January. It was reported at the time that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while following her car – under police escort – from the airport.
This week Prague intelligence officials told local media that the incident was part of a much larger and escalatory plan by Chinese diplomats and intelligence officers working out of the embassy in Prague, which included preparing to stage an apparent car collision.
On Saturday, Hsiao thanked Czech authorities for ensuring her safety during the visit. “The CCP’s unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international community,” she said in a social media post.
Poland’s departing president Andrzej Duda visited Ukraine on Saturday and urged Kyiv to be patient during the handover to his nationalist successor, Karol Nawrocki.
Polish president-elect Nawrocki has said he is committed to keep helping Ukraine’s defences against Russia’s invasion, but has signalled a possible shift in Warsaw’s position by opposing Kyiv joining Western alliances such as Nato.
“Please be patient,” Duda told reporters at a press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The world looks different from behind the presidential desk, slightly different from what it looks like to a candidate in elections.”
Zelenskyy said he would “of course” invite Nawrocki to Ukraine after he assumes office.
Here are some of the first photos in from the Budapest pride match this afternoon…
A live feed of the Pride march in Budapest is now available at the top of this blog, you may need to refresh the page to see it there.
You can also watch it here:
Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C
Sam Jones
Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C (107.6F), as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency.
Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, issued a special heat warning on Friday, saying temperatures could reach 42C in some southern areas of the country over the coming days.
“Very high and persistent temperatures are expected, both during the day and at night, which could pose a risk to exposed and/or vulnerable people,” Aemet said.
Madrid’s health ministry also warned people to take extra care in the heat, reminding them to stay out of the sun, keep hydrated and pay close attention to those who are older, pregnant or who have chronic health conditions.
Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires as temperatures of up to 42C are expected in Lisbon. As temperatures in Marseille approach 40C, authorities in France’s second-largest city have ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat.
With peaks of 39C expected in Naples and Palermo, Sicily has ordered a ban on outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day, as has the Liguria region in northern Italy. The country’s trade unions are campaigning to extend the measure to other regions.
In Venice – which has played host to the lavish three-day wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, guests, visitors and protesters are feeling the heat. “I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that’s when you get sunstroke,” Sriane Mina, an Italian student, told Agence France-Presse in the city.
Crowds are beginning to gather in Budapest, here are some of the latest images coming through from photographers on the ground…
Lunchtime summary
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Record numbers of people are expected to take part in Budapest Pride on Saturday. Hungarians will join forces with campaigners and politicians from across Europe in the march that has become a potent symbol of pushback against the Hungarian government’s steady rollback of rights. “This weekend, all eyes are on Budapest,” Hadja Lahbib, the European commissioner for equality, told reporters in the Hungarian capital on Friday.
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Organisers of Budapest Pride, which this year will mark its 30th anniversary, said the government was attempting to restrict peaceful protests by targeting them. “This event was one of the important milestones of the LGBTQ community,” said its spokesperson Máté Hegedüs.
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Nicolae Ștefănuță, the vice-president of the European parliament, on Friday called on police to respect those attending the Budapest Pride march. “I would like to say that the police and institutions of the state have a duty to protect the citizens,” he said. “It’s as clear as possible.”
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The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, this week joined calls for Hungarian authorities to allow the event to go ahead. Hungarian prime minister Victor Orbán was swift to hit back, likening it to receiving orders from Moscow in communist times.
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Weather warnings for this weekend were issued for large parts of the Mediterranean region, with temperatures expected to get above 40 degrees celsius this weekend. AFP reported that in Spain, emergency medical staff readied to deal with an expected surge in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people and people with chronic illnesses.
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Polish president Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Duda’s office said, as Kyiv aims to build support among allies at a critical juncture in its grinding war with Russia. Duda, a vocal supporter of Ukraine whose term ends in August, was greeted at the train station by foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, who called the Polish leader “Ukraine’s true friend”.
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Two people were killed and at least 14 wounded when a Russian drone smashed into a residential high-rise in Ukraine’s Black Sea city of Odesa, authorities said on Saturday. Three children were among the wounded in the overnight attack, with one in critical condition, said regional governor Oleh Kiper.
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Russian forces have taken control of the settlement of Chervona Zirka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, the Russian defence ministry said on Saturday.
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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are preparing for the last party of their three-day wedding festivities in Venice as demonstrators mobilise for a final protest against the couple’s opulent nuptials in the Italian lagoon city. The Amazon founder, 61, and the former TV journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of around 200 celebrity guests in a black-tie ceremony on the nearby island of San Giorgio Maggiore on Friday evening.
Lisa O’Carroll
The EU must come up with a more assertive response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the violations of international law, the bloc’s former chief diplomat has said.
In a strongly worded article, Josep Borrell said the EU had a “duty” to intervene and must come up with its own concerted plan to end the war instead of relying on the US.
“Europe can no longer afford to linger at the margins,” he said in the article that was co-authored with Kalypso Nicolaïdis, an occasional adviser to the EU and professorial chair in international affairs at the Florence school of transnational governance at the European University Institute. “The EU needs a concerted plan.
“Not only is Europe’s own security at stake, but more important, European history imposes a duty on Europeans to intervene in response to Israel’s violations of international law,” they say, adding: “Europeans cannot stay the hapless fools in this tragic story, dishing out cash with their eyes closed.”
Here is a map outlining the Budapest pride march route…
The Associated Press has more on that overnight drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine:
Two people died and at least 17 more were injured as Russian drones overnight struck the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said on Saturday.
A drone slammed into a residential tower block in the city, causing damage to three floors and trapping residents, emergency services said.
The two killed in the attack were a married couple, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper, who added that three children were among the injured.
There was no immediate comment from Moscow. According to Russia’s defense ministry, over 40 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight and on Saturday morning, over western Russia and Kremlin-occupied Crimea.
The German government seeks to speed up defence procurement by simplifying legal procedures, fostering European cooperation and facilitating orders to start-ups to make its military combat-ready, according to a draft law seen by Reuters late on Friday.
The speedy surge of the German military’s capabilities “must not fail due to overly complex procurement procedures or lengthy authorisation processes”, the document said, while warning of signs that Moscow’s war objectives reach beyond Ukraine.
At a Nato summit in The Hague, leaders on Wednesday agreed to hike the alliance’s defence spending target to 5% of national GDP, with 3.5% dedicated to core defence and 1.5% to related security issues.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government on Tuesday approved a budget framework which is expected to see Berlin’s total military spending rise from 95 billion euros in 2025 to 162 billion euros in 2029, equalling 3.5% of GDP.
The new defence procurement law is part of efforts to speed up military purchases that in the past have been plagued by lengthy delays, project failures and cost overshoots.
The draft law determines that all procurement that contributes to Europe and Nato’s military readiness inherently touches upon vital national security, which constitutes a basis to invoke an exemption under European public procurement law.
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