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In pics: Over a million people celebrate Madrid Pride 2016

One of the world's biggest gay pride celebrations took place in Madrid this weekend.

Published: 4 July 2016 12:14 CEST

In pics: Over a million people celebrate Madrid Pride 2016

Spain's parliament was decorated in rainbow colours. Photo: Sara Houlison

Madrid played host to one of the biggest gay pride celebrations in the world this weekend, as over a million people took to the streets and some of the city's most famous landmarks were decorated in rainbow colours.

In pics: Madrid Pride 2016

Madrid's parliament building and city hall were festooned in rainbow colours to mark the event.

Vigils were held for the victims of the shooting in the Pulse gay club in Orlando on June 12th, in which 49 people died and 53 were injured.

Madrid's mayor Manuela Carmena took to the stage to call for an end to homophobia: “Everyone, no matter the ideology or political party, must push for real equality now,” she said.

Todos, independientemente de ideologías o partidos, tenemos que apostar por la igualdad real ya. #OrgulloLGTB2016 pic.twitter.com/SJfNIze9E9

— Manuela Carmena (@ManuelaCarmena) July 2, 2016

Madrid is also set to host World Pride 2017, in what is expected to be one of the biggest street parties the city has ever seen.

Photo: AFP

In pics: Madrid Pride 2016

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Merkel condemns Hungary's LGBTQ law as 'wrong'

Chancellor Angela Merkel speaking in the Bundestag on Wednesday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Schröder

“I consider this law to be wrong and incompatible with my understanding of politics,” Merkel said on Wednesday in response to a query from a far-right lawmaker at government question time in parliament.

The German leader said she saw it as a contradiction that “single-sex partnerships are allowed” in Hungary “but education about them is restricted”.

“That impacts freedom of education and such matters and is something I oppose politically,” she said.

It was likely Merkel’s final question and answer session in the Bundestag before she steps down at the federal election in September.

Merkel was also quizzed on Germany’s Covid management where she reiterated that the pandemic “is not over yet”.

Rainbow flags across Germany

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the Hungarian law as a “shame” that went against EU values, saying it “clearly discriminates against people on the basis of their sexual orientation”.

READ ALSO: Germany turns rainbow-coloured in protest at UEFA stadium ban

She said the Commission would raise legal concerns over the law with Budapest, and added: “I will use all the powers of the commission to ensure that the rights of all EU citizens are guaranteed whoever you are, and wherever you live.”

Merkel declined to be drawn on the Commission’s plans against Budapest, or on a disputed decision by UEFA refusing to allow the Munich stadium hosting Wednesday’s Germany-Hungary Euro 2020 match to light up in rainbow colours.

READ ALSO: UEFA refuses to light Munich stadium in rainbow colours for Germany-Hungary match

Munich city authorities had planned the display to “send a visible sign of solidarity” with Hungary’s LGBTQ community.

Fifteen of the EU’s member states have signed up to voice their “grave concern” at the LGBTQ law that Budapest argues will protect children.

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