2006 protests in Hungary

2006 protests in Hungary

The 2006 protests in Hungary were a series of anti-government protests. They began after a private speech by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány was made public. In that speech, he said his party, the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), had not been honest when they won the 2006 election. Many people felt upset, and large protests started.

Most of the protests happened in Budapest and other big cities in Hungary. They continued for several weeks, from September 17th to October 23rd, 2006. These protests were very important because they were the first big, ongoing protests in Hungary since 1989. They showed how people felt about the government and their leaders at that time.

Disclosure of Őszöd speech

Further information: Őszöd speech

On September 17, 2006, a recording from a private meeting was shared. In this meeting, the Prime Minister of Hungary, Ferenc Gyurcsány, spoke honestly about his government's actions. He said they had made many mistakes.

Later that day, people gathered near the Parliament building, asking the Prime Minister to step down. By midnight, about 2,000 people had come to show their feelings. Some also visited the State President’s home but then went back. These early protests were calm and peaceful.

September 18

Budapest

Civil unrest

On September 18, people gathered near the Hungarian Parliament to protest. They felt the Prime Minister and his party had not been honest. About 40,000 people wanted the Prime Minister and his party to leave because they believed they had lied.

Occupation of MTV Headquarters

Later that night, some protesters tried to enter the Magyar Televízió building at Szabadság Tér (Liberty Square) to share their message on television. When they were not allowed in, some protesters became upset. Police used tear gas and water cannons to try to stop them. Some protesters entered the building and caused damage. The police regained control of the building the next morning. Many people were hurt during the protests, and there was damage to property.

Other cities

In Miskolc, about 2,000 people gathered to show their disapproval of the government. They sang anthems and marched to government buildings. In a statement, the opposition party Fidesz accused some local government members of knowing about the Prime Minister's dishonesty but staying silent.

After the occupation of the TV headquarters

September 19

Budapest

In the evening, a mostly quiet protest happened at Kossuth Square. A few people damaged a tram and a car near the Socialist Party's office.

Later that night, trouble started in other parts of the city. Police used tear gas and water cannons to help control the crowds. About 3,000 protesters gathered at Blaha Lujza Square, asking the prime minister to leave. Some protesters threw things at the police and set a police car on fire. By morning, the streets were clear, and many people were arrested or hurt. Most media called the violent people "troublemakers."

On a late-night TV show, the prime minister said his party had not been honest but refused to leave. He said he would keep going with his plans even though people were protesting.

Other cities

In Miskolc, people protested with signs criticizing the prime minister. They went to the city hall and the Socialist Party's office, singing songs and standing with their backs to the buildings. In Szeged, hundreds of people marched to the Socialist Party's building, which had police protection. The protests went on the next day with thousands of people asking the government to leave.

In Eger, about 1,000 people asked the president to remove the government.

Romania

In Romania, quiet protests happened in cities with many Hungarian people. In Odorheiu Secuiesc, about 700 people held a candlelight vigil to support the protesters in Budapest.

September 20

Budapest

During the day, the city was quiet, but reminders of the night before's trouble were seen everywhere. Political leaders asked people to stay peaceful. Police arrested people they thought might cause trouble. Riot police were ready at important places.

At night, about 2,000 people marched along Andrássy Avenue, asking the prime minister to leave. Police kept things under control, and there were no big attacks, though some people said they were treated unfairly by police. Overall, the night was calmer, with many arrests but less trouble.

Other cities

In Miskolc, the window of the Socialist Party's office was broken. In Debrecen, the mayor said the mayor of Budapest was not doing enough. A quiet rally happened in Pécs.

Other countries

• Romania: A quiet protest happened in Marosvásárhely to support the Budapest protesters.
• Serbia: A small protest happened in Zenta organized by a local political group.

September 21

Budapest

Quiet protests went on, but fewer people came. The main opposition party canceled a planned rally. A small fire damaged an office of the Socialist Party in Újpest.

September 22

Budapest

The day was quiet. A large, peaceful protest happened in the evening on Kossuth Square. The prime minister went to Berlin, Germany, for a meeting.

Other cities

In Miskolc, protests went on with fewer people. In Debrecen, Szeged, and other cities, hundreds of people protested.

Other countries

• Austria: About 60 people protested in Vienna.
• Canada: Plans were made for a protest in Toronto.
• Switzerland: About 60 people protested in Bern.
• United States: Demonstrations happened in New York City and Los Angeles.

September 23

Between 20,000 and 50,000 people protested in Budapest.

September 24

The peaceful protest on Kossuth Square went on with about 10,000 to 12,000 people. Newspapers had different opinions about the protests.

September 25

Groups in Hungary and other countries asked for the government to leave. Work began to fix the TV hall. Peaceful protests continued in many places.

September 26

More people in public life asked the prime minister to leave. Protests went on.

Influences on the 2006 municipal elections

On October 1, 2006, local elections were held in Hungary. Many people in cities were encouraged by protesters not to vote for the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) candidates. The party Fidesz reminded people in its campaign materials and phone messages about the honest mistakes the leader had admitted.

The leader of MSZP said in a speech that the local elections would not change his party’s position in power. People booed him during his speech.

More people voted in these elections than in 2002, with 53.1% of people taking part. Opposition parties won in many areas, including county and Budapest assemblies and some important city mayoral races. Even though the honest mistakes had caused a lot of talk, the leader’s party still kept some positions, like in Budapest where Gábor Demszky was elected again as mayor.

For more information about the election results, see Elections in Hungary.

Post-election protests

After the elections, people continued to protest in Budapest every day until October 23. They also protested in other cities each week until winter came. The protesters wanted the government to leave because they were unhappy with how things were being done.

October 23

On the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, there were fights between people protesting and the police. The police used horses, tear gas, and rubber bullets to control the crowd. Some people were hurt.

The protests began early in the morning when police tried to clear a square where people were gathered. Many protesters moved to nearby streets. Later, more people joined the protest, and they tried to march back to the square. Police used tear gas to stop them.

There were reports of broken windows and other damage, and many people were hurt on both sides. The protests ended early in the morning after more clashes near a bridge over the river.

November 4 and the end of the protests

On November 1, the main opposition party Fidesz announced plans for big demonstrations across Hungary. They wanted to remember those who suffered during the Soviet invasion in 1956 and speak out against unfair treatment by police during the October 23 unrest in Budapest.

On November 4, people held a quiet candlelight march in Budapest. The protests slowly stopped by the end of the year, and the big protests that were expected in the spring of 2007 never happened.

Aftermath

In February 2007, a report about the protests came out. It said the protests began because people were confused about changes the government was making. It also said a political group called Fidesz tried to remove the leader, which made things harder.

The report said the police had to use force, but sometimes they were too rough. It suggested some changes, like not using certain weapons and only using specially trained police for large crowds.

In May 2007, Hungary's leader announced that some important police leaders were leaving their jobs. He said this was to help people trust the police more. The protests led to changes in the government, and a new leader took over in the 2010 election.