60 members of the European Parliament have insisted that the European Commission be “visibly present” at next month's Budapest Pride, joining a swelling chorus against the EU executive's inaction over Hungary's LGBTQ crackdown.

In a letter seen by Euractiv, lawmakers from five political groups across the political spectrum express their "deep disappointment" that the office of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had urged her commissioners not to attend Budapest Pride, as Euractiv revealed on Monday.

The Commission issued a denial, days after first being contacted for comment by Euractiv, on Tuesday. But MEPs have continued to pressure the Commission president into changing course – and are now doubling down.

In the strongly-worded letter, the MEPs accuse the Commission of "failing to fulfil its duties” and showing "weakness and a lack of solidarity" with Europe's LGBTQ community.

They ask von der Leyen to "reconsider" her position, and "ensure that the Commission is visibly present at Budapest Pride”.