Organizers of the annual Peace March in Budapest say they expect a record turnout for this year’s demonstration on 15 March, Hungary’s national holiday.
Speaking at a press conference in Budapest on Monday, László Csizmadia, President of the Civil Unity Forum and the Civil Unity Public Benefit Foundation (CÖF–CÖKA), said the event could attract unprecedented numbers of participants. ‘We expect a very large crowd and a march unlike any before, one that could also set an example for Europe,’ Csizmadia said.
According to the organizers, this year’s event will follow the traditional route used in previous years. The procession will pass along Szent István Boulevard, Nyugati Square and Alkotmány Street before reaching Kossuth Square, where participants will listen to a speech by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Csizmadia said Hungary’s sovereignty faces both external and internal challenges. He also called on supporters to take part in the event. ‘Our message to those preparing to replace our legitimate government is clear: we will defend our prime minister and protect the independence of our country,’ he said, adding that participants would also express opposition to illegal migration and what he described as ‘gender ideology’. The organizer also noted that the Peace March name has now received copyright protection.
Businessman Gábor Széles said previous marches had drawn significant interest and expressed hope that this year’s event would attract at least as many participants as earlier demonstrations. He warned that current global economic trends could be difficult to manage if Hungary had a new government, citing rising energy prices and political uncertainty.
Journalist and commentator Zsolt Bayer recalled that when the first Peace March was organized in 2012, its founders did not expect the event to become such a widely recognized initiative. He argued that the current international situation is highly uncertain and described Hungary as a place of stability and ‘normality’ in a turbulent world. According to Bayer, the march is intended to demonstrate that many Europeans share similar views but that European Union leadership often takes a different approach.
Editor-in-Chief of the weekly Magyar Demokrata András Bencsik said the upcoming April election would determine whether Hungary continues on a path he described as peaceful or moves toward policies that could involve the country in war.
Political analyst Tamás Fricz, a member of the CÖF–CÖKA board of trustees, said the election represents a decisive moment not only for Hungary but also for Europe. He argued that the European Union is moving toward what he called a wartime economic approach, something he said Hungary should resist.
Journalist István Stefka also addressed the press conference, recalling the slogan of the first Peace March in 2012: ‘We will not become a colony,’ which he said remains relevant today.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for CÖF–CÖKA Zoltán Lomnici Jr noted that the national holiday commemorates the 1848 Hungarian revolution and its legacy. He said one of its key lessons is the importance of protecting future generations from the consequences of war.
The organizers concluded by encouraging supporters to attend the demonstration and show solidarity during the national holiday.
Related articles:
