Hungary’s Orbán stages ‘peace march’ in show of strength ahead of EU elections

By JUSTIN SPIKE
Associated Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A crowd of tens of thousands has gathered in Hungary’s capital in a show of strength behind Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Saturday demonstration took place a week ahead of European Parliament elections, a contest Orbán has cast as an existential turning point between peace in Europe and a world war. The demonstration was dubbed by organizers as a “peace march.” It brought Orbán’s supporters from all over Hungary and neighboring countries, who marched along the Danube River in Budapest onto Margaret Island, waving flags and signs reading “No War.” Orbán has focused his campaign for the June 9 ballot on the war in Ukraine, portraying his domestic and international opponents as warmongers who seek to involve Hungary directly in the conflict.