Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's main rival led tens of thousands of demonstrators through the streets of Budapest today to protest alleged child abuse in state institutions for minors, an issue that has already rocked Orban's government after a scandal last year.
The demonstrations, called by Orban's main rival, Peter Magyar, are a response to videos released last week showing employees at a juvenile correctional institution in Budapest physically abusing children.
The former head of the institution, who is in custody on suspicion of running a prostitution ring, is accused of physically and sexually abusing minors.
Police raided the center this week, although critics accused Orban's government of not acting appropriately, despite reports of misconduct that have been going on for years.
The Hungarian, whose center-right Tisza party is ahead of Orban's Fidesz in most independent polls, accused the government of failing to protect vulnerable children and called on Orban to resign. Elections are expected in April.
Protesters gathered in cold weather in central Budapest today. Many participants lit torches as darkness fell as they made their way to Orban's offices in Buda.
The abuse of minors in state institutions has already caused a political crisis in Orban's government. In 2024, Hungarian President Katalin Novak and Justice Minister Judit Varga resigned after a public backlash over their approval of a pardon for a man convicted of helping to cover up cases of child sexual abuse in an orphanage.
The scandal represented a rare moment of weakness for Orban, who has led Hungary with near-total authority since returning to power in 2010.
A Hungarian former member of Orban's Fidesz party emerged into the public spotlight in Hungary as the case unfolded, accusing the government of corruption and illegal behavior.
Addressing protesters outside government buildings today, Magyars drew parallels between last year's pardon scandal and new allegations of child abuse.
"Twenty-two months ago, the country asked the Hungarian government a question: can it change and improve the situation for children or will it remain an accomplice to child abusers," he said.
"The Orban government promised everything, but since then, unfortunately, it turns out that every member of the Orban government has taken the side of the abusers," the Hungarian added.
Orban's government has condemned the physical abuse seen in the videos, arguing that the disclosure of child abuse cases shows that Hungary's child protection system is working effectively to eradicate such offenses.
However, several members of the government, including Orban, have emphasized that minors are in these facilities because they have committed crimes or other offenses, describing the institution as a prison for minors.
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