Mass protest in Budapest: Tens of thousands rally against Orbán government – PHOTOS, VIDEOS
Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled Kossuth Square in front of Hungary’s Parliament on Monday evening to protest against the Orbán government and a proposed “transparency” bill that critics say threatens civil society, press freedom, and democratic institutions.
The protest, titled “Civil Resistance”, was initiated by publicist Róbert Puzsér and independent MP Ákos Hadházy. Although the controversial bill, originally set to be debated in Parliament this week, has been postponed until autumn, organisers warned that the delay was no victory and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
The proposed legislation, widely criticised by NGOs and independent media, is seen as a tool to suppress dissent and eliminate oversight. Demonstrators argued that it would severely restrict the operations of civil organisations and independent journalists by subjecting them to arbitrary state control.
The crowd, estimated in the tens of thousands, began gathering at Kossuth Square in the early evening. Speakers included well-known journalists, civil activists, and public figures who voiced concern over Hungary’s political direction. They warned that the government is steadily consolidating power while dismantling institutional checks and balances, Népszava wrote.
Puzsér delivered the final and most powerful speech of the evening. “The resistance continues,” he declared, warning that Hungary is on a path “toward Minsk,” a reference to the authoritarian regime in Belarus.
Journalist Ács Dániel from news outlet 444.hu criticised the government’s systematic effort to eliminate democratic checks and balances. YouTuber Péter Radics condemned the Orbán regime as a modern-day dictatorship, calling on younger generations to rise above fear and misinformation.
Other speakers, including journalist Ágnes Lampé and activist Dávid Magyar, emphasised the importance of civic courage, unity, and action. They urged the crowd to see this protest not as an isolated event, but as part of a broader movement to defend Hungary’s democratic values.
After the speeches, the demonstration concluded with a symbolic and solemn rendition of the Szózat, a Hungarian patriotic anthem. Though the protest ended peacefully, organisers made it clear that this was just the beginning of a wider campaign.
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