Tens of thousands of people at Prime Minister Orban's “Peace March”. Harsh words were said about the EU

Tens of thousands of people joined the “Peace March” organized in Budapest by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday. On this day, Hungarians celebrate National Day, commemorating the revolution of 1848.

Two banners are carried at the front of the procession: “Peace March” and “We will not become a Ukrainian colony.” Hungarian flags and symbols of Fidesz – Prime Minister Orban's party – dominate the crowd. The stalls around the assembly sell red, white and green bows, bracelets and flags.

The march crosses the Margaret Bridge from Buda, the western part of the capital, to Pest, where Prime Minister Orban will address his supporters in Kossuth Square.

Sunday's march, like a number of other events organized by the Hungarian authorities in recent months, is to express opposition to the European Union's approach to the war in Ukraine. Orban is basing his campaign before the parliamentary elections on April 12 on protesting against the support provided to Kiev by the EU, which – according to Budapest – is prolonging the war and torpedoing peace efforts undertaken, among others. by US President Donald Trump.

The Hungarian government also accuses Ukraine of trying to influence the country's internal politics and supporting the allegedly pro-Ukrainian opposition. Its leader, Tisza chairman Peter Magyar, is organizing his own march later on Sunday to mark Hungary's national day.

In recent days, both Orban and Magyar have encouraged their supporters to participate in Sunday's events, which some commentators see as the main test of both camps before the April elections.

Hungarian National Day commemorates one of the most important moments in Hungarian history: the outbreak of the 1848 revolution. The celebration commemorates the fight for independence, civil rights and constitutional rule during the wave of European uprisings known as the Spring of Nations.

This day has been an official national holiday in Hungary since 1990.

Jakub Bawołek from Budapest (PAP)

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