Anti-Orbán protests in Hungary; opposition leader declares, “Comrade, it’s the end”

A rally of several thousand people against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, organized by the opposition party Tisza, took place in Budapest.

Hungarians expressed their anger with the prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and his government’s policies. Tisza leader Péter Magyar announced the launch of the “Voice of the Nation” poll for citizens over the age of 16, which will run from March 24 to April 11, Radio Liberty reported.

In response, Orbán himself called opposition politicians “bugs” and promised to get rid of “those who work for the interests of foreign countries.”

“Tavarishchi, konets”: the opposition leader addressed Orban

The opposition organized a rally against Viktor Orbán on the occasion of the anniversary of the Revolution Day. Party leader Péter Magyar addressed the rally, saying that his political force would organize the “largest joint movement in history.”

The trigger for the protest was the Hungarian prime minister’s recent controversial statements, in particular regarding the EU and the demand for an “EU without Ukraine.”

Péter Magyar demanded Orbán’s resignation, denouncing his submission to Moscow and asserting that Orbán’s tenure was nearing its end. Symbolically, he declared this in Russian, addressing Orbán.

“To make it clearer for you: Tavarishchi, konets!” Magyar addressed Orban.

“Spring has come, the spring of Hungarians; together we will end Orbán’s winter,” Magyar said.

According to Magyar, the planned nationwide questionnaire will allow citizens over the age of 16 to show their vision of the Hungarian system after the current prime minister’s term. The poll will be called “Voice of the Nation” and will run from March 24 to April 11.

The residents of other cities who demand Viktor Orbán to resign have joined the protests in Budapest.

The prime minister himself reacted to these developments in his speech on the occasion of the National Day, calling opposition politicians “bugs.”

According to AP, Viktor Orbán promised to rid his country of those who, in his opinion, work for the interests of foreign powers and added that his right-wing government would eliminate the global “shadow army” serving the EU and the “liberal American empire.”

Orbán’s pro-Russian stance angers Hungarians

In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the EU’s policy of supporting Kyiv, and the geopolitical confrontation between Moscow and the West, Orbán is increasingly taking a pro-Russian stance. He is also increasing his criticism of the EU leadership’s policies.

Hungary has previously been the only EU member state to oppose sanctions against Russia for its war and assistance for Ukraine.

In response, a wave of dissatisfaction with Orbán is growing inside Hungary, and indignation is spilling over into protests. Not all Hungarians endorse Orbán’s nationalist and pro-Russian policies, and they aim to avoid isolation within the EU.