Peace March returns: Pro-government groups call for record crowd in Budapest on 15 March

Hungary’s pro-government civil umbrella group Civil Összefogás Fórum – Civil Összefogás Közhasznú Alapítvány (CÖF-CÖKA) has announced that its signature “Peace March” will return to Budapest on 15 March, the national holiday commemorating the 1848–49 Revolution and War of Independence.

Speaking at a press conference, the organisation’s president László Csizmadia said the event has already been registered with police and is intended to demonstrate support for Hungary’s sovereignty, peace and national unity.

According to the organisers, the march will also serve as a show of solidarity with Poland and underline what they describe as the enduring friendship between Hungarian and Polish civil communities. Csizmadia called on “peace-loving” Hungarians, especially ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, to attend in large numbers and stand behind the current government. He said they aim to hold the largest Peace March yet and send a message to Europe that Hungary is “on the right path”.

A significant part of the announcement focused on foreign policy. Csizmadia sharply criticised the European Union’s approach to the war in Ukraine, arguing that Brussels is escalating the conflict through weapons deliveries and sanctions instead of diplomacy.

He claimed EU leaders had lost their negotiating leverage and were pushing Europe towards further instability. He also took aim at North Atlantic Treaty Organisation leadership, suggesting that Secretary General Mark Rutte was weakening the alliance and backing plans for a stronger, centralised European military structure.

Other speakers echoed concerns about international oversight of Hungary’s elections. Representatives criticised a recent report by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe for what they described as political bias, saying it relied too heavily on opposition figures and what they called “foreign-funded” NGOs. Despite this, CÖF-CÖKA said it supports fair and lawful elections, adding that trust in the democratic process depends on impartial and professional monitoring.

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