Tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Budapest to rally against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies. Orbán, known for his alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, faces increasing opposition from Péter Magyar, leader of Hungary’s strongest opposition party, TISZA. Magyar, addressing the crowd, promised to build a better country than Orbán’s right-wing Fidesz party.

The rally occurred on the eve of the European Parliament elections in Hungary. Surveys show Fidesz support at 44 to 48 percent and TISZA at 23 to 29 percent. Magyar aims to capitalize on the EU election to gain momentum for the national ballot in 2026. Supporters like 69-year-old Mária Németh express disillusionment with current politics, citing lies and a desire for peace, which they attribute to Orbán.

Orbán, in power since 2010, frames the EU election as crucial for peace in Europe. He criticizes NATO politicians, particularly from the US and Belgium, for escalating tensions with Russia over the Ukraine conflict. Despite his alignment with Putin, Orbán warns Putin about overconfidence in defeating Ukraine, acknowledging the resilience of Ukrainian forces.

Magyar presents himself as a counterforce to Orbán’s fear-based politics, advocating for unity and peace. He emphasizes the need for Hungarians to live without fear of war and promises a future where partisan divides are bridged. As the election approaches, Magyar’s message resonates with those disillusioned by Orbán’s leadership, offering a vision of hope and security for Hungarian families.