More than 100,000 people gathered in Budapest for a concert urging citizens to vote out Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday. Over 50 bands, all performers who have used their music to express dissent against Orban's nationalist-populist government, played one song each during the seven-hour event. The crowd, largely made up of young people, frequently broke into anti-government chants, including 'Ruszkik haza!' or 'Russians go home!' In addition to the throngs of people in the streets, more than 100,000 were following a livestream online. The group organizing the event, the Civic Resistance Movement, wrote that each song was critical of the corrupt regime and meant to demonstrate to voters that the era of impunity is over.
The concert came just two days before Hungary's elections, with Orban trailing in the polls despite a glowing endorsement from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The Hungarian PM, a right-wing nationalist who has ruled for 16 years, is supported by just 30 per cent of voters compared to 39 per cent backing his rival Peter Magyar, according to a poll released on Thursday. His falling popularity has prompted a major intervention from Vance, who traveled to Budapest on Tuesday in a last-ditch attempt to boost his support.
Vance accused the European Union of election interference, calling it one of the worst examples of foreign election interference he has seen. He added that part of the reason for his visit was because interference from Brussels has been disgraceful. This intervention comes amid heightened tensions between Hungary and EU institutions over democratic norms.
Vance and his wife were welcomed to Budapest by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who said Orban's warm friendship with Donald Trump had created a new golden age in relations. This connection underscores the geopolitical alignment between Orban's government and Trump's political camp, with U.S.-Hungary ties strengthening under conservative leadership.
A generational gap has been widening in Hungary, with its young people pushing for change. The big turnout in Budapest's Heroes' Square and the concert's anti-government atmosphere reflected the broad level of dissatisfaction with Orban's government, especially among Hungary's youth. The concert's scale and online reach suggest a significant shift in public sentiment ahead of the vote.