Two days before Hungary's closely-watched elections, more than 100,000 people gathered in Budapest for a megaconcert urging citizens to vote out Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The seven-hour event, dubbed a “system-breaking” concert, featured over 50 bands and performers known for their dissent against Orbán's nationalist-populist government.
The crowd, largely young people, frequently chanted anti-government slogans, including “Ruszkik haza!” or “Russians go home!”—a refrain from Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet revolution that has gained new significance as Orbán has strengthened ties with Moscow. Attendee Heléna Sugár, 19, said the political goal was paramount: “I think it is important to show how many of us think that the time for this system is over.”
The concert was organised by the Civic Resistance Movement, which stated that each song was “critical of the corrupt regime” and aimed to “demonstrate to the masses of voters that the era of impunity is over.” In addition to the crowd at Heroes' Square, over 100,000 followed a livestream online. The event highlighted a widening generational gap, with young Hungarians overwhelmingly seeking an end to Orbán's rule while older citizens remain loyal.
Orbán's popularity has declined amid economic stagnation, corruption scandals, and the rise of a new opposition challenger, the centre-right Tisza party led by Péter Magyar. A recent survey found that 65% of voters under 30 support Tisza, compared to just 14% for Orbán. Concertgoer Noel Iván, 22, who moved to Austria, said he would “contribute to regime change by voting for the Tisza party.”
Performers included top Hungarian acts such as singer Azahriah, rappers Beton.Hofi and Krúbi, and bands Quimby and Ivan and the Parasol. Benedek Szabó, frontman of Galaxisok, said Hungary's close ties with Moscow amounted to “selling out the EU allies to Russia.” His band performed a song lamenting wasted years under Orbán, with lyrics: “We’ve had enough, once and for all. In the end, all regimes fall.”
