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Euronews
3 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Orbán says Pride marched in the Budapest 'on the orders of Brussels'
The international press estimates the number of participants in Saturday's event, the Budapest Pride march - which was, in fact, the outlawed Budapest Pride - at between 100- and 200,000. One thing is for sure: the organisers broke the previous record of 35,000 by a considerable margin. On Sunday, it was finally became clear how Viktor Orbán assessed the Saturday parade, as the Prime Minister. He had told the Pride organisers in February that they "should not bother" with their organisational efforts, as the government would not allow the event to take place. Orders from Brussels? The Prime Minister sent a message to the "Warriors' Club", an organisation close to his party Fidesz - which also reached the independent news website Index - in which he wrote that "Brussels has issued an order that there must be a Pride in Budapest. Their puppet politicians have carried out the order. This is proof of what life would be like if our country were not run by a national government defending our sovereignty. Orders from Brussels, puppet politicians in Budapest in hats, TISZA, [social democrat] DK and Karácsony [Mayor of Budapest] voters in the streets". Orbán called the event itself "disgusting and shameful", pointing out that events such as drag performances, men in high heels or brochures on hormone therapy "do not fit into Hungarian culture". He added that "the 3.7 million voters of the 2022 gender vote" could "not be matched by the number of any demonstration". Orbán - the king of Pride? His main rival Péter Magyar did not miss the opportunity to react. The leader of the TISZA party said that "Viktor Orbán became the king of Pride in Europe yesterday, because no one else has ever managed to mobilise such a large crowd for a demonstration against himself by inciting hatred". The opposition politician took full advantage and wrote in his post that "Orbán can no longer govern, public services are falling apart. The Hungarian railways stop running every weekend, the health care system is dying, people are living worse and worse and everyone is cutting their pennies." Recent polls have shown his party leading Fidesz by up to ten points. Parliamentary elections are expected to be held in April next year. A clever trap? The government officially tried to play down the massive event - and even spin it as a "clever trap" by Viktor Orbán, using it to reinforce his narrative that Pride marchers were a manipulated minority, but political scientist Gábor Török disagreed. According to him, "the clumsy ban and the police's legal manoeuvring" also indicated that events have taken a wrong turn for the government: "Fidesz certainly did not miss the spectacle of today, the crowds, the distant images that almost resemble the Peace March - and of course the prominent role of Our Homeland," he said in his Facebok post. By 20:00 on Saturday, police had arrested 36 people, one woman for criminal mischief and one man for possession of drugs. Two people were taken ill and a 15-year-old boy was injured when he fell from the railing he was climbing. The police called an ambulance as a safety measure, reported.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Tens of thousands gather to mark Budapest Pride despite Orban ban
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hungary's capital on Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride, defying a government-imposed ban on the event. Among the crowd were members of the European Parliament, international supporters, and many so-called "first priders". Following the ban, Budapest Pride has taken on new meaning, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance against the government's ongoing restrictions on freedom of assembly and human rights, according to participants on Saturday. Euronews journalists on the ground spoke with several attendees who said they had previously been indifferent — or even opposed — to Pride events, but chose to participate this year to stand up for civil liberties and show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was also in Budapest for the Pride march. In a video posted to her Instagram, she accused Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of making a desperate attempt to ban the event. Thunberg described Pride as both a protest and a celebration of love, calling the ban "another fascist attack on human rights." Pride banned, far-right march allowed While Pride was officially banned, police allowed a far-right march to go ahead. The far-right 64 Counties Youth Movement held an event on the same square in Budapest where Pride participants later gathered. Meanwhile, the Our Homeland Movement—a small far-right parliamentary party—announced a counter-march along the same route as the municipal Pride event. Both far-right events received police approval. Pride without the main opposition leader Peter Magyar is currently on holiday with his three sons. However, the leader of Hungary's main opposition party TISZA posted a strong message of support on Facebook, saying: "We build a country together, with all Hungarians, where it does not matter where you come from, what you believe in, who you love." "I call all police officers to protect all Hungarian citizens from the arbitrariness of a fallen power." Speculation circulated as to the "real" reason why he missed Pride. However, Magyar explained it is because his sons play football, so they had to organise their family holiday around summer sports camps. Political analysts had warned that by banning Pride, Orbán was likely attempting to provoke Magyar. The party's support base is diverse, bringing together people from across the political spectrum. Magyar has repeatedly emphasised that he aims to represent all Hungarians, not just one ideological side. For Fidesz, forcing Magyar to take a clearer stance on liberal issues—such as LGBTQ+ rights—could be politically advantageous. 'Pride is already a success for Fidesz,' political analyst Zoltán Novák told Euronews, 'because they've managed to make the public debate revolve around an issue they own, framed in their language, and on a political topic where they enjoy majority support.' As Fidesz continues to lose ground to its centre-right rival, the TISZA, it has struggled to counter its challenger's strategy. His campaign has focused squarely on the everyday concerns of Hungarians—rising economic hardship, and the deteriorating state of healthcare and education—while contrasting them with the corruption scandals and growing wealth of the Fidesz elite, including members of Orbán's family. This approach has triggered a sharp shift in public opinion. According to the latest poll by the reputable Median Institute, TISZA is now ahead of Fidesz by 15%. Meanwhile, government-aligned pollsters—normally active and vocal—have fallen into an unusual silence. TISZA's Magyar—formerly married to Fidesz's ex-justice minister—has deliberately avoided polarising political issues such as LGBTQ+ rights or topics that fail to resonate broadly with voters, like press freedom. Instead, he has focused on pressing, everyday concerns, including inflation, corruption, the state of healthcare, and failing infrastructure, such as Hungary's rail system. According to political analyst Zoltán Novák, Fidesz introduced the so-called "Pride laws" in an attempt to corner Magyar into taking a stance that could alienate either conservative or liberal voters. While Magyar successfully sidestepped the trap, remnants of the liberal-green opposition stepped in to defend the issue, allowing Fidesz to partially regain control of the political narrative.
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Trump's tariffs inflict political pain on Hungary's Orban, other European far-right leaders
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Peter Magyar, leader of opposition TISZA party, takes a selfie with his supporters during a campaign tour in Marcali, Hungary, March 27, 2025. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo FILE PHOTO: A person wears a sign with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and U.S. President Donald Trump on it, at an inauguration party held in Budapest outside the U.S. embassy in Budapest, Hungary, January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Marton Monus/File Photo BUDAPEST - After Donald Trump's inauguration in January, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban predicted the 'Trump tornado' would usher in a golden era for Europe's far right. It isn't working out that way. In Hungary, the strong economy that helped Orban win previous elections is now struggling and could worsen as Europe confronts Trump's aggressive trade policy. Hungary's political opposition appears stronger than at any point in Orban's 15-year rule. And Orban's close association with Trump no longer offers clear advantages as U.S. tariffs threaten Hungary's economy. Nearly 100 days into Trump's fracturing of the trans-Atlantic order, Orban shares a dilemma with other right-wing leaders and politicians in Europe: They must now calculate whether unflinching support for Trump will damage their domestic popularity at a time of growing economic pain. Ahead of a general election early next year in Hungary, the Tisza party, led by a former ally, now has a four-point lead over Orban's long-ruling Fidesz, according to Budapest-based pollster Median. Other pollsters give the opposition an even bigger edge. Institutes close to the government say Fidesz is still ahead. 'This is really the first time since 2010 that there is a significant chance of an opposition party winning the election,' said Bulcsu Hunyadi, a specialist in right-wing populism at Political Capital, a Budapest think tank. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs and chief aide Balazs Orban (no relation) declined to comment for this story. The prime minister has said that Hungary's 'fantastic' relations with the U.S. would bring prosperity to Hungarians. Reuters interviews with a dozen people from think tanks, civil society, politics and diplomacy in Hungary and the U.S. suggest that Orban and his 'illiberal democracy' – as he describes it – face unprecedented challenges. While Orban still has time to prevail in an election that remains a year away, signs of trouble for his government are a setback to American conservatives who have lionized Hungary as a right-wing paradise. The withdrawal of U.S. security guarantees in Ukraine have forced Europe to rearm and consolidate in the face of threats from both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the prospect of a trans-Atlantic trade war shows signs of strengthening European unity. That has left Orban looking increasingly isolated as the most loyal Trump ally in the 27-member European Union and the EU leader with the closest ties to Putin. Most polls indicate that support for Europe's far right has remained stable since Trump's return to the White House, according to research by Tabea Schaumann and Javier Carbonell of the European Policy Centre, a Brussels-based think tank. They argue that any boost Trump's reelection has given to far-right leaders such as Orban has been cancelled out by the U.S. president's expressions of hostility to Europe. The far right cast themselves as patriots. Their opponents have used this stance against them, arguing that loyalty to an anti-European U.S. president makes them 'lackeys of a foreign power,' said Carbonell. U.S. tariffs have also put Europe's far-right politicians in a bind. Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's Vox party, who attended Trump's inauguration, has strong support among farmers likely to be hit hard by tariffs on exports. Abascal hasn't criticized Trump directly, instead offering to go to Washington to mediate for Spaniards and blaming the centre-left government and the EU for their predicament. The leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which won almost 21% of the vote in February elections, have been vocal supporters of Trump. Co-leader Tino Chrupalla has shown sympathy for tariffs, telling Bild newspaper: "Trump wants to protect his economy. Isn't that understandable?" But Alice Weidel, the more prominent co-leader, warned in a later social media post of the harm tariffs would do to Europe's largest economy. "We must seek solutions with the U.S.," she said. In Britain, populist Reform UK Party leader Nigel Farage, who describes Trump as a friend, said he disagreed with the U.S. approach on tariffs. He said on his radio show that Trump 'did too much, too soon' and compared his approach to Liz Truss, Britain's shortest-serving prime minister, whose plan for sweeping tax cuts triggered market turmoil in 2022 before she was forced to retreat. AFTER TRUMP WIN, RIDING HIGH That contrasts to right-wing euphoria in Europe after Trump's inauguration. 'Yesterday we were heretics,' Orban told a summit of fellow hard-right European leaders in Madrid on February 8. 'Today we're mainstream.' In Hungary, Orban hailed his close ties with the White House. Having a call with Trump was so normal that it had 'no real news value,' he told journalists on March 4, when asked about a recent conversation with the U.S. president. Orban also broke with most European leaders by publicly praising the Trump administration's dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, the main delivery mechanism for American foreign assistance. USAID, a U.S. tool for winning influence abroad, had been an important source of funds for Hungary's independent media. It was also a source of frustration for Orban, who had privately complained about USAID to the Biden administration, said a former U.S. official. Expecting no blowback from a friendly Trump administration, Orban took aim at his political opponents. In March, his ruling party pushed through legislation allowing a ban on an annual Pride march by Hungary's LGBTQ+ community, sparking speculation that the new law could also curtail political rallies or protests. That was followed by constitutional changes passed in parliament on April 14 that allow Orban to suspend citizenship of Hungarian nationals who are also citizens of a country outside the EU and are deemed a threat to Hungary's sovereignty. Government spokesman Kovacs said in a social media post that the change aimed to counter 'foreign-funded political pressure networks that undermine Hungarian democracy and sovereignty.' Trump's return to the White House also solved another stubborn issue. In a gesture to Orban on April 15, the U.S. State Department removed sanctions related to alleged corruption on a close Orban aide, Antal Rogan, saying the punitive measures imposed under former President Joe Biden were 'inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy interests.' Orban's government has denied allegations of corruption. Some analysts said they doubt that Orban's friendship with Trump will help him evade punishing U.S. tariffs on the EU. Trump has said the economic bloc was formed 'to screw the United States.' Tariffs could cripple the auto industry upon which Hungary's economy heavily depends, with major investment from Germany, China and South Korea. Orban says Hungary is negotiating an economic agreement with the U.S. that will offset any tariffs on the EU, but has provided no details. An EU spokesperson declined to comment. The Hungarian central bank has said Trump's tariffs could lop 0.5 to 0.6 percentage points off economic growth. Some policymakers fear they could worsen inflation. So far, Orban's government has been careful to avoid publicly criticizing Trump. Under Biden, Orban often blamed Hungary's problems on 'this woke, leftist, Democratic administration' in the U.S., said David Pressman, who was then U.S. ambassador to Hungary. 'Well, the administration has changed and all of those problems continue to plague Hungary,' he said, 'and that poses a real political issue for Viktor Orban.' Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has repeatedly blamed EU officials for provoking U.S. tariffs through what he has called their 'failure to negotiate.' The political opposition has a different message: Hungary needs to be closer to Europe. And as tariffs threaten the economy, the idea is gaining traction. 'HUNGARY FIRST' In his speeches, Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar rails against what he calls 'Orban inflation' for causing a cost-of-living crisis. Inflation peaked above 25% in early 2023, then rebounded in February to the EU's highest levels at an annual rate of 5.6%, forcing Orban to impose food price controls in mid-March. Magyar vows to sweep away the 'politicians, oligarchs and criminals' holding Hungary back and crack down on corruption. In a parking lot in western Hungary at a recent rally, Magyar leapt onto the back of a flatbed truck to address a small crowd. 'I want to represent all Hungarians,' he shouted. It is one of hundreds of speeches Magyar has given in small towns and cities across Hungary, with a direct appeal to voters that bypasses the hold Orban has over the country's media and advertising. Afterwards, Magyar posed for selfies with supporters, before being escorted away by his security detail. Speaking to Reuters, Magyar described the U.S. as 'one of our strongest and most important allies.' But Hungary 'should stand together with the European Union' and negotiate with the U.S. as part of the bloc. 'Hungary first. And of course Europe second,' he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
