Massive Protests Erupt in Hungary Against Orban’s Government Following Sex Abuse Scandal
In one of the largest demonstrations against Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s administration in recent years, tens of thousands of Hungarians filled Budapest’s Heroes’ Square on Friday. The public’s fury was ignited by President Katalin Novak’s pardon of a sex-abuse case, a decision that led to her resignation and intensified scrutiny on Orban’s government. This incident, which also saw the departure of former Justice Minister Judit Varga, has been at the forefront of Hungarian media, signaling potential political upheaval, according to Reuters.
Despite the 2026 elections being some time away, this scandal emerges as Orban’s Fidesz party prepares for the European Parliament elections in June, seeking to capitalize on the growing far-right sentiment in Europe. The call to action for the protest was spearheaded by nine online influencers, including the widely celebrated singer Azahriah, drawing an unprecedented number of demonstrators, particularly from the younger demographic.
Protesters, echoing sentiments of disillusionment with the government’s “lies and hypocrisy,” gathered in massive numbers, indicating a deep-seated desire for change. Among the voices was Jozsef Molnar, 64, who highlighted the generational cross-section of the protestors, marking his first return to activism since the pivotal anti-communism protests of 1989.
The organizers, leveraging social media, questioned the transparency of Orban’s regime, pondering the extent of undisclosed issues and cover-ups. They emphasized the protest’s non-partisan nature, focusing on the advocacy for victims’ protection, transparency, human dignity, and open dialogue.
The backdrop to the protests, a pardon involving a figure connected to a children’s home abuse cover-up, remains shrouded in ambiguity. Fidesz’s response has been to highlight accountability within its ranks, contrasting it with alleged opposition shortcomings. Orban, amidst the turmoil, is expected to outline his policy direction in an upcoming speech, while his chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, has declared the issue resolved, hinting at future reforms to strengthen child protection laws.
