The Fővárosi Törvényszék (Metropolitan Court) has determined that the Budapest municipality has failed to fulfill its legal obligation to elect a deputy mayor, according to an official statement.

This ruling stems from a lawsuit initiated by the Budapest government office against the city council.

The court noted that the Fővárosi Közgyűlés (Budapest Assembly) was required to elect at least one member to serve as deputy to Mayor Gergely Karácsony; however, it could not find a candidate capable of passing a council vote.

Mayor Karácsony proposed retaining his former deputy, Ambrus Kiss, but this was not supported by the Tisza Party.

The municipal government contested the legal basis of the lawsuit, arguing that it should have been directed against the Assembly rather than the municipality itself.

However, the court found this argument unsubstantiated.

The judgment is preliminary and not yet legally binding; parties involved have 15 days from the delivery of the judgment to file an appeal.

In a related development, Mayor Karácsony expressed on social media that he will continue to advocate for civil liberties amidst recent legislative changes that target the organization of pride parades in Budapest.

The Hungarian Parliament has passed amendments to assembly laws that critics argue undermine the right to free assembly, particularly aimed at prohibiting gatherings that promote homosexuality.

The ruling party, Fidesz, claims these restrictions are necessary for the protection of minors.

Opposition parties have voiced their dissent following the law's passage, with notable reactions from members of the Párbeszéd-Zöldek, who stated the law resembles measures passed in the 1930s that targeted citizens based on their rights.

They emphasized that rights to freedom and assembly cannot be prohibited.

Simultaneously, in response to the recent nightclub fire in North Macedonia that resulted in the deaths of 59 individuals and injuries to over 150, Hungary has offered medical assistance.

The Armed Forces of Hungary are involved in transporting victims for treatment in Budapest, highlighting the nation’s readiness to provide aid in times of crisis.

The North Macedonian government has declared a seven-day national mourning period in the aftermath of this tragedy, with plans to conduct immediate inspections of all entertainment venues.

The incident occurred during a concert at a club in the town of Kocani on Sunday morning, where the use of pyrotechnics resulted in a rapid outbreak of fire.

Panic ensued as attendees attempted to flee, exacerbating the situation and leading to fatalities from crush injuries during the escape.

The local mayor has since resigned and legal action is being taken against individuals linked to the club's operations.