Protests in Hungary

My friend shared a news photo of everyone on Elizabeth bridge on Saturday.

Sort of scary,I would panic in that crowd.

We did see a photo of OV supporters. IDK, all dressed up in traditional clothing holding signs up near the castle.

Hard to tell how many there were but not as many as the other camp. Yes, silly pun!

I think many people came to Hungary just to take part in the parade.

We used to attend the pride parade when it was called, the Love Parade.

It was low key;

Everyone would bring chairs and set them up on the sidewalks to watch the floats and hear the techno music. All ages, people with children too;

The locals would be selling home made foods and cold drinks from buckets , good way to make a few extra bucks.

It was sort of fun, everyone would walk up to the park at the end of the parade and hear music coming out of different floats.

IDK what happened but a few years later, thankfully we did not go but heard bricks were being thrown at people and barriers were set up.

Now everything is too political and people have forgotten how to just have fun.

Orban reacts to Freedom/Pride march:

Hungary's PM Orbán says Pride marched in the Budapest 'on the orders of Brussels'

Easy way to answer that is to hold a referendum on EU membership.   

Orban reacts to Freedom/Pride march:
Hungary's PM Orbán says Pride marched in the Budapest 'on the orders of Brussels'

Easy way to answer that is to hold a referendum on EU membership. - @fluffy2560

Would be silly to quit.

Right now we are the most sanctioned member and the enemy constantly try orange revolution/ regime change among other mineworks.

If Hungary would be no member the enemy would have more measures in hand.

There is just two way out:

1. Mass leave together with Poland, Slovakia, Romania, probably others, but there is slight chance.
2. Leave with force, a few volunteer regiments able to do if there are no restrictions any more and get some military grade  equipment.

Orban reacts to Freedom/Pride march:Hungary's PM Orbán says Pride marched in the Budapest 'on the orders of Brussels'Easy way to answer that is to hold a referendum on EU membership.  - @fluffy2560Would be silly to quit. Right now we are the most sanctioned member and the enemy constantly try orange revolution/ regime change among other mineworks.If Hungary would be no member the enemy would have more measures in hand. There is just two way out:Mass leave together with Poland, Slovakia, Romania, probably others, but there is slight chance. Leave with force, a few volunteer regiments able to do if there are no restrictions any more and get some military grade equipment. - @sjbabilon5

I was being somewhat facetious about holding a referendum on EU membership. 

At the moment, the EU is the only institution keeping OV from going over the edge and as you say, he needs an enemy.  The EU could still be an enemy if HU was outside.   I think OV doesn't have the guts to hold any kind of a plebiscite.  HU would be even more inconsequential to a process outside of his control.

As an observer,   I get bored hearing the same message from OV.  Probably at least 25% of the voters don't believe what he says anyway (I'm extrapolating on the numbers at the Freedom/Pride protest).  With enough effort, OV could be ousted.  Then everyone can put these OV years behind them.

I cannot see anyone taking up arms in HU in a wider sense but some lone wolf might take a pop at politicians they disagree with.   But then again it was surprising someone got sufficiently close to Fico and that even Trump - who had arguably the best security in  the world - had a lucky escape.

Was just told that those who attended the pride parade will be facing fines;

They are using facial recongnition and mailing out fines of 80,000.

If not paid within the time limit it will be deducted from your bank account!

Yikes, big bro is watching!

Up date, read more, the gov has decided to not place fines after all.

Just a big scare.

Was just told that those who attended the pride parade will be facing fines;
They are using facial recongnition and mailing out fines of 80,000.
If not paid within the time limit it will be deducted from your bank account!
Yikes, big bro is watching!
Up date, read more, the gov has decided to not place fines after all.
Just a big scare. - @Marilyn Tassy

It was obviously, now we know, scaremongering.  Imagine how they'd clog up the courts with those resisting.  And in theory - anyone can resist and can have their day in court.  All legal processes must have an appeal process.   It's a bit like people receiving speeding fines.  Most people will give up but some will always fight back for whatever reason.  Anyone just passing and photographed could say, I was just going to the dentist and I had to cross the parade.  Imagine the cost of the cops proving otherwise! 

Interesting will be how many join in another protest knowing the government doesn't actually use the teeth it bared.  O1G will have been rattled by the protest.  And of course Tisza will be encouraged.   It should be compulsory to vote as arguably governments elected with low turnout have no mandate. In Australia, it's compulsory.  Failure to vote is something like a $50 fine.  If no candidates are liked, spoil the ballot paper. Simple!

OV said Freedom/Pride was organised by the EU.  It's just become ridiculous. The bad weather was the EU, my dog crapping in the garden is doggy mind control by the EU.  The tree that reversed into my car is an agent of the EU.  Rainbows in the sky are an EU plot organised by left wing Soros supporters.  Zelensky and the EU blew over our rubbish bins and broke our Internet.   And I believe in fairies at the bottom of my garden.

Any fule kno that any of that ain't true.

Was just told that those who attended the pride parade will be facing fines;
They are using facial recongnition and mailing out fines of 80,000.
If not paid within the time limit it will be deducted from your bank account!
Yikes, big bro is watching!
Up date, read more, the gov has decided to not place fines after all.
Just a big scare. - @Marilyn Tassy

It wasn't enforceable, no way they could have processed it. Just think about it 200,000 people! Many people traveled from outside the country so wouldn't have been able to do anything with them anyway.

All Viktor was trying to do was scare people from attending and that backfired on him big time. It actually made it worse.

Previous marches only attracted a record of 30,000.

Was just told that those who attended the pride parade will be facing fines;They are using facial recongnition and mailing out fines of 80,000.If not paid within the time limit it will be deducted from your bank account!Yikes, big bro is watching! Up date, read more, the gov has decided to not place fines after all.Just a big scare. - @Marilyn TassyIt wasn't enforceable, no way they could have processed it. Just think about it 200,000 people! Many people traveled from outside the country so wouldn't have been able to do anything with them anyway.All Viktor was trying to do was scare people from attending and that backfired on him big time. It actually made it worse. Previous marches only attracted a record of 30,000. - @SimCityAT

Yes, indeed.  I think it represented maybe 20% of the Budapest voting population.   Budapest has a population of about 2 million, half of those are kids and non-voters, leaves 1 million, 20% is 200K people. 

If that scaled up nationally, then it would be a touch over 1 million voting against O1G.   The voter base is 5.6 million approximately.   Turnout in 2022 was about 70% total with O1G receiving about 50% of total available.

So, possibly others could hold the balance of power in 2026 if there is sufficient momentum. I cannot see a landslide but it'll probably be a shift in the other direction.  Could be another coalition with one of the more extremist parties.

All speculation of course.

BTW, looks like campaigning has already begun.  Some non-Fidesz political adverts have started appearing on billboards. 

I can not believe Australia forces people to vote or pay.

What about religious freedom? Some religions do not vote or take part in so called worldly affairs.

The JWs do not vote, no Xmas, Birthdays, they do Easter however which is probably one of the most pagan holidays of all.

No Easter egg hunt stuff but each Hall has a celebration where the bread and wine are passed up each row of seats;

Only those who are part of the 144,000 touch it. Some Halls no one is annotated;

Imagine my surprise when my Bible teacher, a nice Greek lady , mother of 2 boys and married to an Elder in the Hall, took the bread and wine while I was sitting right next to her; I was 12 and it was something to think my Mentor was one of the annotated.

Yes, they can not take jobs that cause harm; No weapon production jobs or military service.

They can however work in the US post office which does harm in my mind by mailing our IRS bills.

Many hairdressers I knew were JWs, they are not suppose to be vain so IDK.

Many Mormons work in casinos. Not suppose to gamble but they do not mind if others do.

Hypocrisy.

I can not believe Australia forces people to vote or pay.
What about religious freedom? Some religions do not vote or take part in so called worldly affairs.
The JWs do not vote, no Xmas, Birthdays, they do Easter however which is probably one of the most pagan holidays of all.
No Easter egg hunt stuff but each Hall has a celebration where the bread and wine are passed up each row of seats;
Only those who are part of the 144,000 touch it. Some Halls no one is annotated;
Imagine my surprise when my Bible teacher, a nice Greek lady , mother of 2 boys and married to an Elder in the Hall, took the bread and wine while I was sitting right next to her; I was 12 and it was something to think my Mentor was one of the annotated.
Yes, they can not take jobs that cause harm; No weapon production jobs or military service.
They can however work in the US post office which does harm in my mind by mailing our IRS bills.
Many hairdressers I knew were JWs, they are not suppose to be vain so IDK.
Many Mormons work in casinos. Not suppose to gamble but they do not mind if others do.
Hypocrisy. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yup, compulsory to vote Down Under.   I don't know if there are any exemptions.  Personally I don't see why anyone would have any right to opt out if that's the system.   The moment exemptions appear, then there's discussion about who can be excluded voluntarily or otherwise for whatever reason.  We don't want those guys or them over there, nah, they don't need the vote.  One can imagine, so yup, one size fits all.

I'm not fan of organised religion.  JW is one of the "worst" ones.   I think it's all about control over people's thinking and lifestyle.  I'm judging here but I just cannot help it.  And I went to a Christian religious school in the UK! 

JWs don't usually get much mileage in the UK when it comes to healthcare.  If their kids are sick, the courts step in, make them wards and appoint representatives so they can get operated on, receive blood transfusions etc.  Adults, they can take their chances with blood loss.  Some surgeons will tolerate it.

There was a TV show called the 4400.  I wonder if it was based on that JW number?  It was about people returning to Earth.  I forget what happened.  Must have been THAT memorable.

I could see a strong reason to have compulsory voting in HU and elsewhere.  It would force people to engage with the country they live in.  And $50, pay the fine if the voter doesn't like it and use all the $50s collected for voter education and the cost of coming around to people's houses and dragging them down to the polling station!

Does anybody believe that a new government formed by any of the currently electable political parties would make a positive change for the majority of the Hungarians? If OV managed to keep energy prices at bay than that's at least something. And my friends buy outside of Hungary if that is worth the drive.

Does anybody believe that a new government formed by any of the currently electable political parties would make a positive change for the majority of the Hungarians? If OV managed to keep energy prices at bay than that's at least something. And my friends buy outside of Hungary if that is worth the drive. - @TGCampo

They almost certainly will change things for the positive - less division, more equality, more inclusion.  And less silly EU bashing and implausible enemies like Soros or Zelenskyy.  Anyone can see Ukraine is fighting a proxy war for survival for all of Europe.

But many people will expect fast changes and it'd probably take at least 2 election cycles - say 8 years to unravel Fidesz and the graft.    Rome wasn't build in a day etc.   Patience is a virtue.  I can see years of investigations into people's unexplained wealth and some people might have to flee to Dubai. 

As Tom Jones says, "It's not unusual". 

At least we haven't quite reached falling out of windows or people shooting themselves just after being fired by Putin/O1G.  Not that we know of anyway.

The electricity thing is because of paying the Russians for Paks and the payback on the soft loan.  No-one knows what it cost because it's a state secret.   It didn't go through a transparent procurement process.  So it's always going to be suspicious and questioned for years and years and surrounded by endless conspiracy theories.

Hungary: Multiple strikes prompt disruptions in Budapest

As of 24 September 2025 multiple strikes are prompting disruptions in the capital Budapest. Multiple taxi associations have announced rallies in the Belvaros - Lipotvaros district asking for fare increases and a limit on the number of taxi drivers permitted in the city.

As of early this morning reports indicate that parked vehicles were disrupting the flow of traffic at various locations including Margaret Bridge and Andrassy Avenue. Security forces have begun towing parked vehicles from the roadway.

Additionally, waste collectors began an unannounced strike citing working conditions and lack of sufficient equipment. Associated disruptions to overland travel may continue throughout the day.

Does anybody believe that a new government formed by any of the currently electable political parties would make a positive change for the majority of the Hungarians? If OV managed to keep energy prices at bay than that's at least something. And my friends buy outside of Hungary if that is worth the drive. - @TGCampo

Sorry it took so long to respond. Always nice to see fresh blood on this site.

Welcome and please visit other posts.

Does anybody believe that a new government formed by any of the currently electable political parties would make a positive change for the majority of the Hungarians? If OV managed to keep energy prices at bay than that's at least something. And my friends buy outside of Hungary if that is worth the drive.  - @TGCampo
Sorry it took so long to respond. Always nice to see fresh blood on this site.
Welcome and please visit other posts. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, good to see new faces. Welcome.

OV hasn't really kept costs down.   They are just differently distributed. We're all under terrible pressure.  It's cheaper to buy stuff in Austria now.  It was never like that before.  I'm paying 27% VAT on my electricity bill.  If he wanted to be an electable PM, he'd lower the VAT.  At least. 

Oh, and btw, it's not like the source - wind/solar - is linked to USD oil/gas prices.  The blow sucks when it reaches us. And the sun don't shine in places we won't mention.

Protests - Thursday 23rd 2025

Protest walk from Deak Ter to Hosnok Tere.  It's not that far, maybe 2km.

Google it if you feel inclined to observe.

Hungary: Multiple political rallies to prompt disruptions in Budapest on 23 October

On 23 October 2025 two large political rallies are expected to take place in the capital Budapest. Prime Minister Viktor Orban and opposition rival Peter Magyar have scheduled political rallies on the public holiday, Republic Day, which is celebrated annually on 23 October.

Orban supporters are expected to gather at Csazar- Komjad swimming pool at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT) before marching toward Kossuth Teren square, located along the Danube River, by 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT).

Magyar supporters are expected to gather at Deak Ferenc square at 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT) before marching along Andrassy Avenue to Hosok Tere square, located in central Budapest. A large turnout of several hundred thousand people is expected at the day's events.

Clashes between demonstrators, counter-demonstrators and security forces cannot be ruled out. Heightened security measures as well as disruptions to overland travel and public transportation are expected in Budapest throughout the day.

UPDATE:

Hungary: Demonstration prompts disruptions in Budapest

As of the afternoon of 23 October 2025 a demonstration is prompting disruptions in the capital Budapest. Participants are gathered near the Margaret Bridge, located near Szent Istvan street, and marching through central areas, blocking traffic.

The demonstration is in support of the Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance party.

A heightened security presence is ongoing in the vicinity of the demonstration, and the potential for clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out. Counter demonstrations are also expected to occur through the afternoon of 23 October, which may prompt clashes.

Protest Update

Estimated numbers of protestors:

Fidesz 80-90,000

Tisza 170,000

As reported by various media reports. Figures unverified!

Protest UpdateEstimated numbers of protestors:Fidesz 70,000Tisza 170,000As reported by various media reports. Figures unverified! - @fluffy2560

  I guess there was no real memorial for the people who died in 1956.

Looks like it has been turned into a political statement rather then a memorial service.

We decided to stay close to home, sat in a church courtyard, feeding the birds like two old farts!

All fine a dandy until 2 brats started chasing the birds away and screaming; Their mom just sat on her phone.

I ,being me, did tell the brats to get away, then we left.

I guess most people here do not say anything but I can not help myself, brats getting too close to me and screaming, no way:

Makes me think, there really is a time for spanking after all.

As my hero, W;C. Fields would say, Go away kid, you bother me.

Protest UpdateEstimated numbers of protestors:Fidesz 70,000Tisza 170,000As reported by various media reports. Figures unverified! - @fluffy2560 I guess there was no real memorial for the people who died in 1956.Looks like it has been turned into a political statement rather then a memorial service.We decided to stay close to home, sat in a church courtyard, feeding the birds like two old farts!All fine a dandy until 2 brats started chasing the birds away and screaming; Their mom just sat on her phone.I ,being me, did tell the brats to get away, then we left.I guess most people here do not say anything but I can not help myself, brats getting too close to me and screaming, no way:Makes me think, there really is a time for spanking after all.As my hero, W;C. Fields would say, Go away kid, you bother me. - @Marilyn Tassy

I updated the estimates.

Mrs Fluffy and HU daughter were there and did their bit.   Apparently OV didn't really mention 1956 but MP (Magyar Peter) did mention it.  His message was one of removing divisions.  As usual, OV blamed everyone except himself. 

I stayed home, not because of any particular reason but mainly because my hip was playing up and I don't think I could walk from Deak Ter to Hosok Tere.  Mrs F says it was very crowded and took 3h to make it to the end but there were so many people, they could not actually reach the Hosok Tere.

There's video here with English narration.

Democracy,  even when international monitoring says it's free and fair, isn't real democracy when you dislike the results.

https://enemo.org/mission/parliamentary … ngary-2022

These US funded, anti democracy troublemakers should vote instead of trying to remove the government by force. They are just a bunch of useful idiots, and expendable ones at that.

Protest UpdateEstimated numbers of protestors:Fidesz 70,000Tisza 170,000As reported by various media reports. Figures unverified! - @fluffy2560 I guess there was no real memorial for the people who died in 1956.Looks like it has been turned into a political statement rather then a memorial service.We decided to stay close to home, sat in a church courtyard, feeding the birds like two old farts!All fine a dandy until 2 brats started chasing the birds away and screaming; Their mom just sat on her phone.I ,being me, did tell the brats to get away, then we left.I guess most people here do not say anything but I can not help myself, brats getting too close to me and screaming, no way:Makes me think, there really is a time for spanking after all.As my hero, W;C. Fields would say, Go away kid, you bother me. - @Marilyn TassyI updated the estimates.Mrs Fluffy and HU daughter were there and did their bit. Apparently OV didn't really mention 1956 but MP (Magyar Peter) did mention it. His message was one of removing divisions. As usual, OV blamed everyone except himself. I stayed home, not because of any particular reason but mainly because my hip was playing up and I don't think I could walk from Deak Ter to Hosok Tere. Mrs F says it was very crowded and took 3h to make it to the end but there were so many people, they could not actually reach the Hosok Tere.There's video here with English narration. - @fluffy2560

Thanks for the link, I was going to check it out but do not want cookies. I will look on U tube later on to see what they have there.

3 hours in a packed street, I would flip out!

Crowds bother me I sort of dug the 3 meters apart thing we had a couple years ago!

Or was it 2 meters apart? Always add an extra meter for good measure.

Protest UpdateEstimated numbers of protestors:Fidesz 70,000Tisza 170,000As reported by various media reports. Figures unverified! - @fluffy2560 I guess there was no real memorial for the people who died in 1956.Looks like it has been turned into a political statement rather then a memorial service.We decided to stay close to home, sat in a church courtyard, feeding the birds like two old farts!All fine a dandy until 2 brats started chasing the birds away and screaming; Their mom just sat on her phone.I ,being me, did tell the brats to get away, then we left.I guess most people here do not say anything but I can not help myself, brats getting too close to me and screaming, no way:Makes me think, there really is a time for spanking after all.As my hero, W;C. Fields would say, Go away kid, you bother me. - @Marilyn TassyI updated the estimates.Mrs Fluffy and HU daughter were there and did their bit. Apparently OV didn't really mention 1956 but MP (Magyar Peter) did mention it. His message was one of removing divisions. As usual, OV blamed everyone except himself. I stayed home, not because of any particular reason but mainly because my hip was playing up and I don't think I could walk from Deak Ter to Hosok Tere. Mrs F says it was very crowded and took 3h to make it to the end but there were so many people, they could not actually reach the Hosok Tere.There's video here with English narration. - @fluffy2560
Thanks for the link, I was going to check it out but do not want cookies. I will look on U tube later on to see what they have there.
3 hours in a packed street, I would flip out!
Crowds bother me I sort of dug the 3 meters apart thing we had a couple years ago!
Or was it 2 meters apart? Always add an extra meter for good measure. - @Marilyn Tassy

If you look at the Euronews pop-up, you can click "without cookies" at the top right. 

Euronews is respectable but there's a bit of a war of attrition over blocking their adverts.

Nearly everyone will be OK from COVID.  It's mutated into something less than really dangerous.  But they still offer COVID vaccines to some categories of persons.

@Marilyn Tassy

YouTube uses Cookies

@Marilyn TassyYouTube uses Cookies - @SimCityAT

Yes, it does.  If you look at say, France24, it's impossible to look at their video without accepting YT cookies.  They have some good news reports from places like Gaza. Deutsche Welle is the same.

What I do is open a Private Windows, accept all cookies, look at the videos and then when the window closes, all the cookies are deleted. 

A Private Window is not supposed to share anything with the MS Windows outside that environment BUT Google has been known to infringe that separation - lawsuits a while back.  Mostly they want to bombard the end user with crappy adverts. I simply block ads.  I am presently using Ghostery which is a "reasonable" add-on to Chrome based browsers.  That add-on reports anonymously ad-blocking.  I don't mind that myself so long as I'm not being tracked.    I also block ads using the browser's built-in blocker.  I value privacy although I realise it's guerrilla warfare.  For some news sites, it's possible to switch to "text mode" and that stops all adverts, simplifies pages and  still shows you the actual article text.  I really do not like "busy" web sites.

Sorry, I went all nerdy there.