Orban supporters rally in Budapest
March backs PM ahead of tight election
Thousands of supporters of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán marched through Budapest in a major demonstration as the country heads into a closely contested parliamentary election in four weeks. The rally, organized by Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party and allied nationalist groups, moved toward the parliament with flags and banners, loud chants backing the prime minister, and speeches emphasizing national sovereignty, strict migration controls and protection of Hungarian identity. Organizers framed the event as a show of unity to energize the pro-government base and boost turnout in the campaign’s final weeks.
Orbán, in power since 2010, is confronting what many see as his toughest re-election challenge amid economic stagnation, rising living costs and a resurgent center-right rival led by Peter Magyar and the Tisza coalition, which recent polls have put ahead by a wide margin. The prime minister has sought to cast the election as a choice between “war and peace,” accusing opponents of risking entanglement in the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine—an allegation the opposition denies. The Tisza coalition has rejected rapid EU accession for Kyiv and said it would seek a referendum on the issue if elected, adopting a cautious stance that distances it from both pro- and explicitly pro-Russian positions.
Supporters at the march praised Orbán’s record on stability, economic management and defending Hungary’s interests within the EU, while critics and opposition parties accuse his government of eroding democratic institutions, curbing media freedom and centralizing power. Police monitored the demonstration and managed traffic; the event was reported largely peaceful.
Analysts say the election campaign has grown increasingly polarized, with both sides staging rallies nationwide and targeting undecided voters. Key issues shaping the contest include the economy, cost of living, migration policy and Hungary’s relationship with the European Union and regional security dynamics. The outcome will determine whether Fidesz retains its long-standing hold on power or yields to a coalition promising a different direction on domestic and foreign policy.
