15,000 Protesters Challenge Orbán’s Authoritarian Policies in Budapest

Thousands of protesters gathered in Budapest to form a resistance movement against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's increasingly authoritarian government, which is facing growing national and international criticism ahead of the 2026 elections. Protesters and civic leaders condemned recent legislative measures, including a bill that would allow the government to blacklist and heavily fine foreign-funded NGOs and media, a law banning public LGBTQ+ events, and the use of facial recognition to penalize protestors, viewing these as threats to democracy and civil freedoms. Public figures such as Csaba Bogos and musician Dénes Sallai voiced concerns about corruption linked to Orbán’s Fidesz party and the erosion of independent media. Despite these pressures, Orbán's government remains defiant, delaying the controversial bill’s passage while continuing to consolidate power and appeal to conservative voters. Opposition groups like the Momentum Movement and Citizen Resistance Movement are energizing urban and youth voters, positioning themselves as modern alternatives to Orbán’s rule. The protests mark a pivotal moment in Hungary’s political landscape, reflecting both deep national unease and a mobilized civic effort to safeguard democratic principles.