Massive Hungarian Protests Challenge Orbán’s Rule
On Hungary’s national day, approximately 50,000 protesters rallied in Budapest, demanding an end to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 15-year rule. Led by Peter Magyar’s Tisza party, which currently leads Orbán’s Fidesz party in polls, the demonstration highlighted the party’s struggle against government suppression of dissent and misinformation campaigns. Tisza plans a public survey on key issues to shape its platform ahead of the 2026 elections and advocates for closer ties with the European Union, contrasting with Orbán’s Euroscepticism. Orbán, meanwhile, addressed a separate rally, vowing to eliminate perceived foreign-funded opposition and pushing for constitutional changes enabling the expulsion of dual citizens.
John Q. Hosedrinker