Tens of thousands at large demonstrations by Orbán and Magyar

Large demonstrations in Budapest

Hungarian election brings tens of thousands to the streets

In just under four weeks, Hungarians will elect a new parliament. The opposition is clearly leading in the polls, but Prime Minister Orbán is fighting with all his might.

Four weeks before the parliamentary elections in Hungary, both the government camp and the opposition held large demonstrations. Tens of thousands of supporters of right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gathered in Budapest on Sunday. In the afternoon, tens of thousands of people flocked to a rally by opposition leader Péter Magyar, whose party has been leading in the polls for months. The election campaign has been drowned out by a dispute over alleged foreign interference.

If confirmed in office, Orbán announced that he would “preserve Hungary as an island of security and calm in such a chaotic world.” He also called on Ukraine to end its “attacks” on Hungary. The head of government accuses Kiev of blocking an important pipeline that transports Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary.

“We will not be a Ukrainian colony,” read a banner held in the front row of the pro-Orbán demonstration under the slogan “Peace March.” “There are unrest all over the world, and here, in our small country, we want to keep the peace, calm and security. And Viktor Orbán guarantees us that,” said 60-year-old Sandorne Pista, who traveled to Budapest from Pécs in southern Hungary.

Orbán is aiming for a fifth term in office at the polls on April 12th. The 62-year-old repeatedly tried to portray his main rival Magyar as a “puppet” of the EU and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also accused his competitor of wanting to drag Hungary into war with Russia.

The accusations against Magyar and his party are “just empty words,” said Noemi Kiss, who took part in the opposition rally. “They are trying to distract from the scandalous conditions in public life,” added the 28-year-old communications manager, referring to the government camp. The demonstration was led by riders in hussar uniforms, and the Magyar leader in the polls was scheduled to speak in the evening.