Tens of thousands march in Budapest against Hungary PM Orban over child abuse scandal
Tens of thousands protested in Budapest demanding Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s resignation after videos revealed child abuse at a state-run juvenile facility. The rally, led by opposition figure Peter Magyar, highlights growing public anger and political pressure ahead of Hungary’s upcoming elections.
- Protest sparked by videos showing abuse at a juvenile correction facility
- Prosecutors investigating former director for sexual and physical abuse crimes
- Opposition leader Peter Magyar now leads Orban in most independent polls
HUNGARY: Tens of thousands of people marched through central Budapest on Saturday (13 Dec), calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban amid mounting outrage over alleged child abuse in state-run juvenile institutions.
Demonstrators crossed the Danube River and moved toward Orban’s offices on Castle Hill, carrying soft toys and torches as symbols of child protection.
The rally was led by opposition figure Peter Magyar, head of the Tisza party and Orban’s strongest political challenger. He held a banner reading “Let’s protect children” as he addressed the crowd.
Abuse allegations and criminal investigations
The protest followed the release of videos showing staff at a Budapest juvenile correction facility physically abusing children.
Prosecutors are investigating the institution’s former director on suspicion of multiple crimes, including operating a prostitution ring and subjecting minors to physical and sexual abuse.
Several former employees of the facility have been detained as part of the investigation.
Public anger has been further fueled by past controversies.
In 2024, Hungary’s president Katalin Novak and justice minister Judit Varga both resigned after a pardon was granted to an accomplice of a convicted child sex abuser from a state orphanage.
Political fallout and rising opposition
Addressing protesters, Magyar accused the Orban administration of protecting perpetrators rather than victims, saying the government had failed to uphold its promises to safeguard children.
He has steadily risen in popularity and is currently leading Orban in most independent opinion polls ahead of elections expected in April next year.
The government has condemned the abuse and defended its response, arguing that the exposure of the cases demonstrates the effectiveness of Hungary’s child protection system.
Many protesters rejected that claim, with several saying such a scandal would have brought down governments elsewhere.
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