Thousands march in silence in Budapest to protest against 'transparency bill'

Published on 01/06/2025 - 23:13 GMT+2

In Budapest, protesters gathered connected Fővám Square Sunday day earlier marching silently crossed nan Freedom Bridge.  

The objection was a symbolic enactment against a draught rule that critics opportunity is designed to soundlessness dissent and restrict entree to nan property and NGOs. 

"Our activity is not subversion, but construction. It is not offence, but defence. Not betrayal, but service," stressed Viktor Szalóki, governmental head of aHang. 

"The authorities thinks it is vulnerable to speak up for those who are not being heard. That I americium moving to guarantee that everyone successful Hungary lives successful a patient environment," said Enikő Tóth, nan organisation's run director. 

Tóth said nan bill’s intent is unmistakable: to regulate, intimidate and soundlessness immoderate organisation aliases national who supports civilian nine — whether by signing a petition, making a mini donation, aliases volunteering. 

The transparency measure could spell to a ballot by mid-June. If passed, it could return effect 3 days afterwards. 

Euronews said to demonstrators astatine nan protest. 

"Those successful powerfulness don't care, they are moving connected different things. They are moving to make everyone impossible. This arrogance of power, that thousands of billions of forints person to beryllium protected astatine immoderate costs – I deliberation that's what it's each about," said an aged man. 

"These protests are bully to support our spirits up", said a young girl. "We don't suffer a small of our ain hope, we fortify it. In different words, moreover if location are nary actual consequences of nan demonstration, truthful that a regularisation is instantly changed because of it, we still reenforce each different a small present that it is still worthy holding on," she explained. 

The march concluded astatine St. Gellért Square, wherever activists from aHang placed a ample billboard-style show featuring portraits of authorities politicians connected nan building obstruction surrounding nan Gellért Hotel, which is presently being renovated. 

The edifice is now owned by BDPST Zrt., a institution linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s boy successful rule István Tiborcz. 

The silent protests will proceed Monday and Tuesday, pinch further demonstrations planned successful different parts of Hungary.