Viktor Orban, the country's longest-serving prime minister, sees his 15-year-long rule challenged by an upstart — Peter Magyar. And the rallies that took place in Budapest on a national holiday commemorating Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet uprising shed some light on the divide between the two camps.

Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians filled the streets of Budapest on Thursday in competing demonstrations as supporters of the country’s two main political movements staged mutual shows of strength before next spring’s national election.

With the ballot approaching in April, long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — trailing in most polls to his main political rival, Péter Magyar — hopes to use Thursday's show of force to reinvigorate his base that has had its confidence shaken by a series of political scandals and years of high prices and economic stagnation.

On October 23, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary, @farkasfalvi shared a video of a large “peace march” held during the country’s national holiday. In the video, massive crowds are seen filling the streets as three jets soar overhead,

“Budapest is essentially the only place in Europe today where such a meeting could be held, primarily because Hungary is almost the only pro-peace country,” Orbán said. “For three years, we have been the only country that has consistently, openly, loudly and actively advocated for peace.”

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto says preparations are ongoing, with only timing yet to be decided - Anadolu Ajansı

Tens of thousands of people marched in Budapest on October 23 in rival political rallies to mark the anniversary of the 1956 revolt against the communist government that was violently put down by Soviet troops.

Hungary's strongman leader Viktor Orbán calls Trump's announcement of a meeting with Putin in his country great news for "peace-loving people."

Firefighters in Hungary have contained a fire at the country's main oil refinery, according to authorities and the energy company MOL