In his speech, Orbán emphasized that “the sons of Hungary will not die for Ukraine” and that, according to him, the country will not accept migrants or military involvement in the conflict.
Simultaneously with Orbán’s speech, a second large demonstration was launched. The “National March” of the Tisza opposition movement started from Deák Square (Deák Ferenc tér) in the center of Budapest and headed through Andrássy Avenue to Heroes’ Square, where its leader Péter Magyar spoke. He had already called his supporters in advance to come to the capital from all over Hungary. “We will show this corrupt government that it is over. The Hungarian nation cannot be silenced,” he wrote on social media before the rally.
At the same time, both camps also had a traditional dispute about the number of participants. The organizers spoke of hundreds of thousands of people, but exact numbers cannot yet be independently verified. During the events, a ban on unauthorized drone flights was in effect over Budapest, announced by the authorities. It is the footage from drones that often decides how large the demonstrations appear to the public. In addition, the Ministry of Defense refused to allow the opposition Tisza movement to film from a drone, on the grounds that the request was not made sufficiently in advance.
At least the online space provides a certain idea of the impact of speeches. Orbán’s speech was watched by approximately ten thousand viewers on Facebook, while the broadcast of Péter Magyar’s rally was watched by more than forty thousand people on the same social network.
A Smer MP also appeared at the march
Attention was also drawn to the participation of Slovak MP Zuzana Matejíčková from the Smer party. The politician reported on social networks that she participated in the pro-government “March for Peace” (Békemenet), which is organized annually by supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
In her contribution, Matejíčková stated that the aim of the event is to promote peace and cooperation between countries. “Our Slovak-Hungarian relations have been connected for more than a thousand years, we live together in the same territory and support the same ideas and values of human life and peace,” she wrote. At the same time, she expressed her belief that Slovakia and Hungary should continue to work together “in harmony”. On the pages of supporters of the Smer party, fake photos of filled bridges, in favor of Viktor Orban, began to spread, but these are photos taken with the help of AI.
The holiday of March 15 commemorates the beginning of the revolution of 1848, which in Hungary is a symbol of the struggle for national freedom and political reforms. In the Slovak historical perspective, however, this period is also connected with the conflict between the Hungarian revolutionary program and the Slovak national movement around Ľudovít Štúr, which at that time demanded greater rights for Slovaks within Hungary.
Magyar also opened domestic topics
In his speech, the leader of the Tisza movement, Péter Magyar, did not only criticize the government, but also tried to present the main themes on which he wants to build the campaign. in his speech, he particularly emphasized the state of healthcare and education, which he identified as areas where the country needs fundamental changes.
At the same time, Magyar also mentioned topics that have become the subject of public disputes in recent months. He spoke, for example, about scandals connected with cases of child abuse, the influence of oligarchs on politics, or the proposed tax for the richest entrepreneurs.
He also paid special attention to environmental issues. He particularly criticized foreign industrial projects, which, according to the opposition, bring pollution to the country without adequate benefits for local communities. In this context, he also mentioned the controversies surrounding industrial plants and large investments in the vicinity of Budapest.
Telex also pointed out that Magyar tried to address specific groups of voters in his speech. He particularly spoke to young people, among whom according to surveys, his movement has considerable support, but who at the same time go to the polls less often than older generations. At the end of the speech, he also called on women to become more actively involved in political life and support the change of government.
Orbán also attacked Brussels and praised Russia
In his speech, the Prime Minister devoted a significant part to criticism of the European Union and Western institutions. He claimed that, in his opinion, Brussels is trying to interfere in Hungarian politics and influence the country’s decision-making. He accused the European institutions of pushing member states to support the war in Ukraine and wanting to drag Europe into the conflict.
At the same time, Orbán repeated his long-standing criticism of EU migration policy. According to him, Brussels wants to force Hungary to accept migrants and submit to joint decisions, which, according to him, are contrary to the country’s national interests. The prime minister therefore emphasized that his government will continue the policy of protecting borders and rejecting quotas.
In his speech, he also talked about broader geopolitical tensions. He stressed the need to maintain good relations with all the great powers and repeatedly emphasized the importance of peace and stability. Critics of the government point out, however, that Budapest has long maintained close energy and political ties with Russia, which is the subject of disputes within the European Union.
