Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Budapest on March 25 to demand the withdrawal of a controversial amendment to Hungary's assembly law and against what organisers called techno fascism. Last week, Parliament approved legislation explicitly to ban the Pride March under the guise of child protection as Prime Minister Viktor Orban is stepping up attacks on LGBTQ+ rights further aligning his government with hardline conservative policies one year before the elections. 

The second protest in one week was led by independent lawmaker Akos Hadhazy. While the protest was billed as non-partisan, flags of opposition parties Momentum and the Democratic Coalition (DK) were visible in the crowd. Several opposition figures were also present.

The crowd waved Hungarian and EU flags, chanted "Orban, resign!" and "Down with Fidesz!" and some set off smoke flares. After the speeches, protesters partially blocked several bridges connecting the two sides of the city. They could not occupy their entirety as police lined up at the bridgeheads. The protests ended peacefully and the crowd dispersed before midnight.

In his speech, Akos Hadhazy criticised the government's tightening grip on civil liberties. He said the amendment to the assembly law was not just about the Pride march, but about the government "using every means it can to prevent demonstrations it doesn't like, because it feels its support slipping".

"The biggest lie the propaganda machine spreads about us is that we do not love our country," he told demonstrators, adding that the protests would continue next week.

Civil rights activists, journalists and opposition politicians joined him in condemning the clampdown on free expression.

German MEP Daniel Freund warned that Hungary risked sliding into authoritarianism. "Here in the heart of Europe, people know how to remove governments and push back against Russian influence," he said. The liberal politician accused Viktor Orban of diverting EU funds to his political allies. "Money is the Achilles' heel of the corrupt regime. Stop the theft!"

Fidesz lawmakers, together with votes from radical right Our Homeland, approved the amendment of the assembly law in fast-tracked legislation. The law imposes fines of up to HUF200,000 (€500) on organisers and participants, with no option for community service. It also expands the use of facial recognition technology, allowing authorities to track individuals preemptively, not just for investigations. Critics warn this paves the way for mass surveillance, further curbing dissent.

Opposition leader Peter Magyar has drawn criticism for distancing himself from openly endorsing the protests. The Tisza Party leader positioned himself as a centrist rather than a traditional opposition figure aligned with fragmented left-liberal parties and has apparently feared to express support for fear of alienating conservative, but more importantly undecided voters, who disillusioned with Fidesz but wary of the old opposition establishment.

Instead, Magyar's messaging has focused on systemic corruption, the rule of law, and government accountability and he is wary of being entangled in culture war issues, in which Orban clearly has the upper hand over his rivals. Hungary's nationalist leader has used the legislation to ban Pride to rally its base and to thematise public discourse, diverting attention from the cost of living crisis, analysts said. Magyar is trying to avoid falling into this trap.

However, with the protests against the legislation likely continue, the pressure on Magyar will mount, analysts said, adding that he will have to clarify his stance to maintain credibility among those looking to him as a serious challenger to Orban's dominance.

The former Fidesz insider turned critic made it clear that his government will undo the unconstitutional amendment to the rights of assembly.