15 March is an important date for Hungarians. On this day, the nation remembers the unsuccessful 1848 revolution when the Hungarians rallied against the Austrian empire, and demanded autonomy from the Habsburg Monarchy, along with the introduction of several reforms, known as “The twelve points”.
The 2026 state commemoration was held in combination with the so-called “Peace March”. An event organized by an NGO (CÖF – Civil Összefogás Fórum) with multiple connections to Hungary’s bigger governing party, although officially independent from Fidesz. There have been several similar Peace Marches held in support of the various Orbán governments over the years and this was not the first time the event happened to coincide with a national holiday. This year, for some reason, the organizers chose “We don't want to be a Ukrainian colony!” as a slogan. Thousands walked from the Buda bridgehead of Margit bridge to Kossuth Sqare, where the main attraction and culmination of the program was the speech of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Walking onto the stage erected on Kossuth square behind the Parliament, the Hungarian Prime Minister opened his speech by announcing: “We are looking good, and we are many. There are more of us now than ever before! There are so many of us that if we stood on each other’s shoulders, Tibor Kapu could climb up to the International Space Station,” Viktor Orbán opened his speech.
While he spoke, just a few kilometres away, a similarly large crowd of supporters was gathering at the Tisza Party’s commemoration, which is likely what Orbán alluded to when he said that there is no better company to be found in Budapest this day.
“Brussels dressed itself up as a Hungarian”
Let there be peace, freedom, and unanimity—this is how the 12 Points of the March Youth begin – he said, referencing the 12-point list of demands of the revolutionaries of 1848. “But beware! Today, Brussels has also dressed itself up as a Hungarian,” he said, clearly allulding to opposition leader Péter Magyar, whom the governing party's have been describing as Brussels' puppet. "Their points are the 12 points of servitude,” which are based on what the folks in Brussels want. “We Hungarians will never accept them turning the 12 points of the Hungarians into Brussels’ own!” said the Prime Minister.
“We will not allow them to sell what we have built over 16 years for 30 pieces of silver from Brussels,” Orbán said, stressing that they will not give up on utility bill cuts, the system of family benefits, or “Europe’s best tax system.”
He then pointed out that although all Hungarian uprisings were defeated we, Hungarians, are still here, but the powers that fought against us back then are no longer around. "Today, even if they drop hundreds of Brusselite paratroopers on us. We'll pick them up, smack their bottoms, and send them back", he said. “Do you see this, Ukrainians? Do you see this, Zelensky?” Orbán asked. In his opinion, Hungarians cannot be intimidated by threats or an oil blockade.
Orbán then turned his attention to the war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, and spoke about the 2015 refugee crisis. “Iran is nine times the size of Syria,” he said, noting that the region is home to 400 million people, which he believes poses a major risk given the current conflict in the Middle East. Orbán said we should be grateful that the Hungarian government did not allow refugees into Hungary. “As long as I am prime minister, this will remain so!”
“Brussels has set its sights on war”
And while all this has been going on, the ground has been shaking under the European economy as well, he continued; entire industries have disappeared, and the problems are only getting worse. “We’ve had a difficult four years, too. Which is unfair, because we deserved better; it is unfair to have to defend our country from things caused by others.” We've managed to protect jobs, families, utility bill cuts, and pensioners; we've done what our country required of us, said the Prime Minister.
“We’ve had enough of the constant danger; we long for a life of boredom. Unfortunately, that’s not what lies ahead,” said the prime minister. In his view, trying times are ahead once again; and war is approaching because that’s what Brussels has set its sights on. “Brussels doesn’t want to keep trouble at bay; instead, they’re marching right into it.” He believes that we are facing a test that even an “old warhorse” such as himself has never seen before. He claimed that Brussels can hardly wait for EU-flagged troops to set off for Ukraine.
“We Hungarians are familiar with war. In war, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve achieved, or what you’ve accomplished; the only thing that matters is whether you can handle a machine gun.” The Prime Minister then reflected at length on what war is like, then said that this is not the fate they want for their children. “It’s time for Brussels to understand: our sons will not die for Ukraine.”
"We have reached a crossroads"
Hungarians will decide on April 12. “I’m one of the old guard,” the Prime Minister said, which is why he knows that a difficult election awaits in 28 days. We are not just voting for a parliament and a government, “but we are also choosing our own fate and that of the Hungarians who will come after us.”
He said that we have reached a crossroads, and in his view, this one is similar to the one the country faced in 1989, when he sent the Soviets home and when later, already as prime minister, he said no to the Germans regarding migration.
This is a new crossroads, he said.
"Now, I am saying no to the Ukrainians. We must choose who will form the government, me or Zelensky. I would like to humbly recommend myself,” said the Prime Minister.
According to him, there are forces trying to corner Hungary from both sides: Brussels wants our money, and Ukraine wants our oil. “They want a change of government in Hungary because we won’t hand over the keys” to our treasury, Orbán said regarding Ukraine, then turned to the audience and added, “We won’t let the big multinationals, the likes of Shell and the Erste Banks take your money.”
The Prime Minister then spoke about how 'they' want to take Hungarians’ money, and would first send it to Brussels and then to Ukraine. “Our money isn’t enough for them; they even want our children’s and grandchildren’s money.” He promised that as long as he is Prime Minister, he will not allow Hungary to be robbed.
A historic victory is needed for the historic task ahead
Orbán said that at the April 12 election, the "anti-war pact" made with voters in the previous election must be renewed. "Three million votes will not be the ceiling, but the threshold." In his view, they must achieve a historic victory, because the next government will be faced with a historic task.
“Today we are celebrating, but tomorrow we will be riding out,” the Prime Minister continued, referring to the fact that there is less than a month left until the elections. "Hotheaded leadership is not what will be needed after the April elections, but calm, composed, and self-assured leadership. A clear head, cool composure, a steady hand, strategic calm, and experience”—these are what Orbán believes will be needed in the season ahead and he claims that only they possess these qualities. “Only Fidesz and the KDNP can provide Hungary with the security it needs,” the Prime Minister said.
He concluded his speech by pointing out that knowing this is one thing; but actually going out and voting is another. We need to work for victory over the next 28 days, and then “we will achieve a resounding victory”—a victory so great that it will leave Brussels and Kyiv gaping in awe, and then “our poor Tisza River will also be able to regain its honour.”
For more quick, accurate and impartial news from and about Hungary, subscribe to the Telex English newsletter!