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Commissioner Denies EU Orchestrated Pride Event
European Commissioner for Rule of Law Michael McGrath has firmly dismissed accusations by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that Brussels orchestrated Budapest's Pride celebrations. In an exclusive interview with European Newsroom, McGrath stated: "There was no orchestration from the European Union, for sure. It was a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community."
Defiance Against Ban
Despite a police ban ordered by Orbán's government, a record number of participants - estimated between 100,000-200,000 people - marched through central Budapest on Saturday. The city's liberal mayor Gergely Karácsony circumvented the national ban by declaring the event an official municipal gathering.
Rule of Law Dispute Intensifies
McGrath addressed the ongoing Article 7 procedure against Hungary for rule of law violations, clarifying that member states control the process. "The decision to progress through Article 7 is the preserve of Member States," he stated, referencing the EU treaty mechanism designed to address violations of fundamental EU values.
Financial Consequences
The Commissioner revealed the European Commission is examining stronger links between rule of law compliance and EU funding in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. "Not a single Euro will be available to countries where rule of law is not respected," McGrath emphasized, citing upcoming budget proposals.
Historical Context of Article 7
The rule of law was enshrined in the 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam, with Article 7 providing suspension mechanisms for member states violating EU values. The Treaty of Nice (2001) introduced Article 7(1), allowing the EU Council to identify breaches and recommend corrective measures. This procedure has only been triggered twice - against Poland (2017-2024) and Hungary (2018-present).
