At the 'March for Peace,' Orban Accused Brussels of 'Waging War' 0 20

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Budapest on Thursday: in the Hungarian capital, two leading political forces held parallel events. For both the ruling party 'Fidesz' and the opposition 'Tisza,' these events served as a demonstration of strength at the beginning of the election campaign ahead of the elections scheduled for spring 2026.

Supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party marched across a bridge over the Danube to the building of the Hungarian Parliament.

The organizers called the event a 'march for peace' and timed it to coincide with Hungary's national holiday on October 23, in memory of the failed anti-Soviet uprising of 1956, which was suppressed by the Red Army.

However, the main focus of the event was on criticizing the EU's policy towards Ukraine, as well as the main opposition party in the country.

Participants shouted slogans in support of Orban and his quotes about foreign powers allegedly pushing Hungary towards direct involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. A giant banner was unfurled at the front reading: 'We do not want to die for Ukraine.'

Orban Considers EU Leaders War-Mongers

Speaking to the gathered crowd, the Prime Minister accused European allies of Kyiv of 'dragging the EU into war' and being ready to 'send others to their deaths.'

'Brussels has decided to start a war. The countries supporting the war have already formed a military alliance. With unmatched elegance, they named it the 'Coalition of the Resolute.' They are ready to send others to their deaths,' he stated.

Orban, considered the closest partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU, has consistently opposed Western support for neighboring Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.

The Hungarian leader also firmly opposes Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and advocates for an immediate ceasefire, regardless of the consequences for its territorial integrity or European security amid ongoing Russian aggression.

During his approximately 40-minute speech, Orban stated that Ukraine 'has long ceased to be sovereign and independent and is absolutely incapable of self-governance.'

He noted that he would support a strategic partnership between Ukraine and the EU, but according to him, Ukraine 'cannot be a member of either our military or economic alliance. They will bring war, take our money, and destroy our economy.'

Later, crowds of supporters of opposition leader Peter Madjar filled one of Budapest's central squares and adjacent avenues to hold their demonstration - a protest against government policy and simultaneously in support of the center-right 'Tisza' party.

Madjar Accuses Orban of Destitution in Hungary

At the march organized by the 'Tisza' party, anti-government slogans were heard, with participants shouting 'Russians, go home!' - as a reproach to Orban for his excessive obsequiousness towards the Kremlin.

One attendee named Zsanett Kiss came from the western region to participate in the march. Our interlocutor expressed confidence that Madjar could help the Hungarian economy emerge from stagnation and return the country to a democratic path.

'I want change to happen in this country already, and I can say that I have had enough, enough of the last 15 years,' she said.

Speaking to the crowd of his supporters filling Heroes' Square in Budapest, Peter Madjar accused Orban of impoverishing the country through the misallocation of public funds and pitting Hungarians against each other.

The 44-year-old lawyer and former member of Orban's 'Fidesz' party emphasized in his speech the pressing issues facing Hungarians: inflation, poor healthcare, and allegations of corruption in the government.

The opposition leader promised that if his party wins, Budapest will pursue an independent policy, keeping a distance from both Brussels and Moscow.

'The fate of the Hungarian people cannot be decided in Brussels, Washington, or Moscow. History is written by Hungarian citizens, the Hungarian people in Hungarian squares and Hungarian streets when they choose hope over fear and walk together, holding onto each other,' Madjar said.

The elections, which will determine whether 'Fidesz' remains in power and whether Viktor Orban, who has been ruling the country for 15 years, stays in the Prime Minister's chair, will take place in six months, in April. The exact date of the vote has not yet been determined.

According to various polls, the two largest rival parties are running nearly neck and neck, with a slight gap between them.