LGBT Pride march denied authorization in Romanian city of Oradea for the fourth consecutive time

The city hall of Oradea in western Romania has refused to authorize the LGBT Pride march scheduled for July 25, 2026. Local authorities have banned the event for the fourth consecutive year, citing clashes with other scheduled events and ongoing infrastructure reconstruction works.

Organizers from the local LGBT organization ARK Oradea proposed 115 route options to the city administration, but all were rejected. As reported by Bianet , ARK Oradea co-founder Iulian Dițiu stated that participants will still march and gather in front of the city hall building.

Last year, an unauthorized march in Oradea drew about 600 people, after which nine activists were fined a total of four thousand euros. Oradea remains the only major city in the European Union where local authorities systematically deny permission for Pride events.

European human rights advocates have called for the peaceful assembly to be allowed. A statement in support of the Romanian activists was signed by over 152 organizations from 30 countries. Solidarity with the march participants was also expressed by EU commissioners and representatives of diplomatic missions, who plan to monitor the event.