Hungary's opposition rallies as Orban pledges crackdown on media, NGOs

16/3/2025 12:19

Tens of thousands rallied in Budapest against Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday, waving the national flag as the leader of the surging opposition Tisza party pledged to make Hungary part of a strong Europe and end Orban's 15-year rule.



Peter Magyar, a former government insider, launched his movement a year ago, and his Tisza party - named after Hungary's second biggest river - leads Orban's Fidesz in most polls, a year before elections in 2026 and as the economy struggles.



Earlier on Saturday, Orban, who has repeatedly clashed with the EU over policies that critics say eroded democracy in Hungary, pledged to crack down on politicians and journalists who receive foreign funding and again ruled out EU membership for Ukraine, stepping up his campaign for the elections.



More than 50,000 of his opponents braved cold, drizzly weather to rally in Budapest, shouting "filthy Fidesz" and "the Tisza is flooding."