Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in Hungary's capital on Saturday to show their backing for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, just a week before the European Parliament election. The demonstration, labeled as a 'peace march' by organizers, saw Orbán's supporters from Hungary and neighboring countries marching along the Danube River in Budapest, waving flags and signs advocating for peace.
Orbán, the longest-serving leader in the European Union with 14 years in power, has centered his campaign for the upcoming election on the war in Ukraine. He has framed the election as a crucial moment between peace in Europe and the threat of a world war, portraying his opponents as warmongers seeking to drag Hungary into the conflict.
During the rally, Orbán called for his party to 'occupy Brussels,' the de facto capital of the EU, to reshape the continent's stance on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion. He emphasized the importance of Hungarian voters supporting the government to keep the country out of war.
Despite criticism for his pro-Russia stance and refusal to supply weapons to Ukraine, Orbán's Fidesz party is expected to secure a significant number of seats in the EU legislature. However, political newcomer Péter Magyar has capitalized on recent scandals and economic challenges to build a strong political movement that could challenge Orbán's dominance.
Magyar, known for accusing Orbán's party of corruption and criticizing Hungary's media landscape, has gained momentum in the lead-up to the election. He has called for large-scale protests and aims to garner substantial voter support.
Orbán's rhetoric, warning against military support to Ukraine and advocating for a Trump victory in the U.S. election, continues to resonate with a segment of Hungarian society. Supporters at the rally expressed trust in Orbán's leadership and echoed concerns about potential repercussions of aiding Ukraine in the conflict.
Orbán's vision of a 'transatlantic peace coalition' with a potential Trump administration to end the fighting in Ukraine underscores his foreign policy objectives. The upcoming European Parliament election will serve as a crucial test of Orbán's influence and the growing political opposition in Hungary.
