During Hungary’s National Day, Polish flags and Bąkiewicz joined Orbán’s ‘Peace March’ in Budapest, where his advisor criticized Tusk’s government.
Dual Marches in Budapest on Hungary’s National Day
On Sunday, March 15, Hungary’s National Day, two marches were planned in Budapest. The first, organized by Viktor Orbán’s environment, was the “Peace March,” which began at 11:00 AM. The TISZA party, Hungary’s largest opposition party led by Peter Magyar, also held a march at 2:00 PM.
Orbán’s Advisor Criticizes Tusk
Balazs Orban delivered a speech at the monument of Józef Bem in Budapest. According to “Hungarian Conservative,” at the beginning of his speech, Orbán’s advisor invoked the battle cry of General Bem’s troops: “For our freedom and yours!” He explained this as proof that “Hungarian freedom is Polish freedom.” He also quoted Hungarian revolutionary leader Lajos Kossuth, who had stated before the Hungarian National Assembly: “the Polish cause is the Hungarian cause.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister’s advisor further stated that “what is happening in Warsaw is not an example to follow, but a warning.” According to the same report, the politician accused Donald Tusk’s government of lying in the campaign and charged the Polish Prime Minister with focusing on gender propaganda instead of fulfilling promises. He assured listeners that “our Polish friends can count on us, Hungarians.”
Polish Participants at Hungarian National Day
Polish citizens also participated in the Hungarian National Day event, including Supreme Court judge Paweł Czubik. According to Hungarian media reports, he delivered a speech in Hungarian. “He stated that nowhere else in Europe is there such a relationship between two nations as between Poland and Hungary, which has survived all historical upheavals and attacks from all enemies. According to Mr. Czubik, EU leaders do not like this fact, but neither Western nor Eastern forces can break the bonds of Polish-Hungarian friendship,” reported “Hungarian Conservative.”
Polish Flags and Slogans at Orbán’s March
Participants in the event organized by Orbán’s environment included representatives of the Border Defense Movement with Robert Bąkiewicz at the helm. Social media footage shows Polish flags and banners with Polish-language slogans, including “Pole-Hungarian, two brothers” and “Europe of nations, not of dictates.” Polish chants can also be heard in the videos available on X.
Political Context of Orbán’s Campaign
Saturday’s appearance is part of an increasingly sharp campaign by Viktor Orbán’s camp before the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. The Hungarian Prime Minister and his political team are primarily building their message around opposition to supporting Ukraine, which is fighting Russia, and criticism of Brussels’ actions.
Large Turnout for Orbán’s “Peace March”
The Associated Press notes that both Viktor Orbán and his main rival Peter Magyar organized large, competing demonstrations on the same day, and that these events are being treated by the media as a test of mobilization before the elections. Meanwhile, reports from Budapest mentioned banners with the slogan “We will not become a Ukrainian colony” at the head of the procession of the current prime minister’s supporters.
Hungary’s national day falls on March 15 and commemorates the 1848 revolution. Orbán’s camp is using it this year to strengthen an anti-Ukrainian and anti-EU message, which has become one of the main topics of the election campaign.