By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Thousands protested Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pro-Russia stance and his obstruction of EU actions concerning Ukraine in Budapest. Simultaneously, Orbán presented twelve demands to the EU, including a “Union without Ukraine,” increased national veto power, and a crackdown on foreign-funded organizations. In response, the opposition launched a referendum, “Voice of the Nation,” encompassing questions on EU and NATO membership and term limits for the Prime Minister. Orbán’s actions, timed to coincide with a national holiday, included threats against media and NGOs he deemed “foreign agents.”
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Thousands rallied in Budapest against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, demonstrating a significant level of public opposition to his increasingly authoritarian rule. The protest, organized by the opposition party Tisza, showcased a palpable discontent with Orbán’s policies and his increasingly close alignment with Russia. The sheer number of attendees, estimated in the thousands, suggests a substantial portion of the Hungarian population is actively rejecting his vision for the country.
This large-scale demonstration comes as Orbán has intensified his crackdown on dissent, vowing to eliminate “foreign-funded” media and NGOs. His inflammatory rhetoric, comparing these organizations to “insects” that need to be “cleaned out,” reveals a chilling disregard for democratic principles and freedom of expression. This aggressive stance further fuels the public’s anger and strengthens the resolve of those protesting against his regime.
The timing of the rally is particularly noteworthy. It coincided with Orbán presenting a list of demands to the European Union, many of which are deeply controversial and indicative of his nationalist and anti-EU agenda. These demands include calls for legal equality among member states (a thinly veiled attempt to weaken EU influence), a strengthened veto power for national governments (further hindering EU decision-making), and a ban on what he terms “unnatural child-rearing” (a thinly veiled attack on LGBTQ+ rights). His call for the removal of “Soros agents” from the European Commission reveals his persistent use of conspiracy theories to demonize his opponents and consolidate power.
Adding to the tension, Orbán timed his EU demands to coincide with the commemoration of the 1848–1849 Hungarian Revolution against the Austrian Empire, attempting to position himself as a defender of national sovereignty against external threats—a narrative conveniently mirroring his attacks on both the EU and organizations he deems “foreign-funded.”
In direct response to Orbán’s actions and demands, the opposition leader Péter Magyar announced a counter-referendum, “Voice of the Nation.” This referendum, featuring twelve questions designed to challenge Orbán’s agenda directly, will allow Hungarians to express their opinions on crucial issues such as Hungary’s continued membership in the EU and NATO, and term limits for the Prime Minister. The referendum provides a clear mechanism for the public to voice their opposition and potentially curb Orbán’s power.
Orbán’s actions have drawn considerable international attention, highlighting the broader context of rising authoritarianism in several countries. His increasingly autocratic tendencies, coupled with his close ties to Vladimir Putin and his opposition to supporting Ukraine, raise serious concerns about Hungary’s trajectory and its place within the European Union. The contrast between Orbán’s rhetoric and the large-scale public protest underscores the deep divisions within Hungarian society and the intense struggle for democratic values in the country.
The sheer scale of the Budapest rally highlights the growing resistance to Orbán’s increasingly authoritarian government. While his actions have been condemned by international observers, the size of the protest highlights that there is meaningful domestic opposition that cannot be easily ignored or silenced. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the outcome of this power struggle, with the results of the counter-referendum offering a crucial indicator of the depth of public feeling towards Orbán’s leadership. The protests are a powerful signal that the Hungarian people are fighting back against a regime intent on silencing dissent and undermining democratic norms. The future of Hungary’s democracy hangs in the balance.