Hungary Marks 70 Years Since Anti-Soviet Revolution Amid Political Upheaval

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary marked the 70th anniversary of its 1956 revolution against Soviet domination on Friday, with European leaders joining commemorations in Budapest as the country undergoes a dramatic political transformation following the defeat of longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa were among foreign dignitaries attending ceremonies hosted by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, whose center-right Tisza party defeated Orbán’s Fidesz party in April.

Magyar said more than 40 foreign delegations were attending the commemorations, which began with a ceremonial flag-raising outside Parliament and continued with speeches and memorial events.

Ahead of Friday’s ceremonies, Magyar said the anniversary offered an opportunity to celebrate in a “truly free, independent, democratic, sovereign and European Hungary.”

EU LEADERS

“Seventy years ago, Hungarians rose up against oppression. They fought for freedom, democracy and justice,” von der Leyen said in a message marking the anniversary, according to a translation of her remarks. “Their courage lives on.”

The anniversary also highlighted Hungary’s political divisions, with supporters of Orbán staging a separate commemorative march along the Danube, carrying an enormous Hungarian flag toward Bem Square.

However, turnout appeared considerably smaller than at previous pro-Orbán rallies, according to Hungarian media reports and photographs of the march.

Former President János Áder and other Fidesz figures were scheduled to address supporters, while Orbán himself was absent. Hungarian media reported that the former prime minister was in Paris.

CORRUPTION PROBES

The commemorations followed Wednesday’s detention of former central bank governor György Matolcsy on suspicion of fraud and other alleged abuses linked to the Orbán era. Prosecutors sought his pretrial detention, with a court hearing held Friday.

Two other suspects were also detained, while authorities issued an arrest warrant for Matolcsy’s son, Ádám. The former central bank governor has denied wrongdoing.

Several other former officials have also been detained as Magyar’s government pursues investigations into alleged corruption and misuse of public funds under its predecessor.

Magyar, who took office in May, has pledged accountability while insisting that investigations must respect the rule of law.

EU RELATIONS

His government has also sought to restore relations with the European Union, securing the release of 16.4 billion euros ($18.4 billion) in previously frozen funding after introducing reforms targeting corruption and judicial independence.

However, differences remain over issues such as migration, with Magyar criticizing a European Union fine of 200 million euros ($225 million), plus a daily penalty of 1 million euros ($1.1 million), imposed on Hungary by the European Court of Justice in 2024 for failing to comply with EU asylum rules.

Magyar has also resisted efforts to accelerate Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, arguing that membership must be based on merit and that a country at war should not join the bloc.

At the same time, his government has adopted a more critical approach toward Russia, which it has designated a national security threat, marking a departure from Orbán’s close ties with Moscow.

1956 REVOLUTION

Friday’s commemorations were also seen as part of efforts to overcome longstanding tensions between Hungary and the EU.

The 1956 revolution began with student demonstrations in Budapest on October 23 and developed into a nationwide uprising against communist rule and Soviet domination.

Soviet forces crushed the revolution in November, killing as many as 3,000 civilians and forcing approximately 200,000 Hungarians to flee their homeland.

Among those who survived the Soviet-backed repression was Imre Mécs, a Hungarian freedom fighter sentenced to death in 1958 before his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Mécs, who died in 2023 at age 89, told Worthy News’ Stefan J. Bos in a 2016 interview that Hungary needed a new generation of leaders to achieve genuine freedom. “I think we need a real new generation of leadership to bring Hungary true freedom,” he said.

HONORING HEROES

Magyar announced plans to establish a museum dedicated to the revolution, honoring those who fought, suffered and died for Hungary’s freedom.

He also recalled meeting surviving participants in the uprising, including former students who had joined the demonstrations seven decades earlier.

“We know that the sacrifice was not in vain: the homeland is free, and we have a shared future,” he declared, adding: “A nation that does not forget its heroes shall live forever.”