In the heart of Europe, Hungary, a country that has long been relatively politically stable, has recently been shaken by a sudden wave of demonstrations. This massive public protest not only shook the domestic community, but also focused the attention of the international community on the Eastern European country. The direct target of the demonstrations was Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been in power for a long time and is known as the "strongman", and unexpectedly, one of the initiators of this challenge was actually one of Orban's old friends, Peter Majjar. Behind this political turmoil are deep disagreements about the future direction of the country and strong dissatisfaction with the government's policies.
Hungary has undergone a number of political changes since its transition from a socialist system to a democratic system in 1989. Viktor Orban has won back-to-back elections since 2010 as the leader of the Alliance of Young Democrats (Fidesz), and his hard-line nationalist stance, criticism of EU immigration policy, and close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin have made him a highly controversial figure at home and abroad. Despite his criticism, Orban has maintained a high level of approval and political stability thanks to his effective economic policies and control of the domestic media.
The immediate trigger for this demonstration was the boiling point of popular dissatisfaction with the government's pro-Russian policies. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, Hungary, as a member of the European Union, has an ambiguous attitude on the issue of sanctions against Russia, which has aroused widespread doubts at home and abroad. Orbán's government, while accepting EU aid, opposes the imposition of comprehensive energy sanctions on Russia and maintains cooperation with Russia in the energy field, which is seen by many Hungarians as a betrayal of national security and EU unity.
The turn of Peter Majal, an old friend who once fought alongside Orbán, is now a leading figure in the movement. Majal's participation is emblematic of a deep rift within Hungarian political circles. As a former justice minister, Majal was a core member of Orbán's government, but in recent years has broken with it over concerns about government corruption and concentration of power. His participation added legitimacy to the protests and attracted more moderates who had previously supported Mr. Orban.
The demonstrations were not just a protest against the government's pro-Russian stance, but a general outburst of long-neglected views of transparency, democracy and free expression. The participants included a mix of young people dissatisfied with Orbán's government's economic policies and middle-aged and elderly people worried about the country's diplomatic isolation, reflecting widespread social discontent. For the EU, the internal turmoil in Hungary is not only a matter of a single member state, but also of the values and solidarity of the entire EU. The Orbán government's position complicates the EU's handling of relations with Russia and tests the EU's ability to coordinate in dealing with the internal affairs of member states.
The demonstrations signal that Hungary may be at a critical juncture in its political transition. If Orban is unable to respond effectively to public concerns and adjust policies to alleviate internal and external pressures, Hungary may usher in a major change in the political landscape, including party reshuffling and policy shifts. In the digital age, the speed and manner at which information is disseminated has a significant impact on the development of political events. The Orbán government's control of the media has made it difficult for dissenting voices to spread widely through traditional channels, while social media has become a new platform for protesters to express their views and mobilize the masses, making the information war a key battleground in the struggle.
In short, the current demonstrations in Hungary are the result of a combination of factors, not only about the country's diplomatic direction, but also about core values such as democracy, freedom, and social justice. How Orbán's government responds to this crisis will determine the course of Hungary's politics in the coming years, as well as its position and role within the EU.