On Thursday in Budapest, two massive demonstrations unfolded, where supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his political rival Péter Mátyás gathered in the city center. According to AP, hundreds of thousands participated.
Orbán's supporters assembled on a bridge over the Danube and began a march towards the parliament. The rally, dubbed the «March for Peace», took place during Hungary's national holiday on October 23, commemorating the failed anti-Soviet uprising of 1956, which was suppressed by the Red Army.
Participants shouted slogans in support of Orbán and his message that foreign powers are attempting to drag Hungary into the war in Ukraine.
The Hungarian leader also firmly opposed Ukraine's ambitions to join the EU and NATO, stating he would support strategic partnerships between the EU and Kyiv, but that Ukraine «cannot be part of our military or economic alliance. They will bring war, take our money, and ruin our economy».
Later that day, supporters of opposition leader Mátyás held a separate demonstration at a central square in Budapest, calling for change. Participants shouted anti-government slogans as well as «Russians go home!», AP reports.
The Hungarian parliament extended the state of emergency declared in 2022 amid the war in Ukraine, which will remain in effect during the upcoming parliamentary elections.