Budapest, Hungary – December 13, 2025: Tens of thousands of Hungarians marched through the streets of the capital this weekend, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban amid widespread outrage over repeated child abuse scandals in the country.

The protests, led by Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition TISZA party, reflect growing public anger over Orban’s perceived failure to address systemic abuse in state-run child care institutions. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Protect the Children!” and held soft toys and torches in solidarity with the victims.

Background: Child Abuse Scandals in Hungary

Since returning to power in 2010, Orban’s government has repeatedly vowed to protect vulnerable children in Hungary. Yet several high-profile scandals have exposed serious abuse in juvenile detention centres and other state-run facilities.

The latest outrage stems from incidents at the Szolo Street juvenile detention centre in Budapest, where security footage revealed the centre’s director physically assaulting a minor by kicking him in the head. Following these revelations, four staff members were taken into custody, and the government announced that all similar facilities would come under direct police supervision.

Public Outcry and Protests

Saturday’s demonstration saw thousands marching through Budapest in freezing conditions. Many protesters demanded stronger government action and accountability for perpetrators. Some carried torches and soft toys, symbolic gestures honoring victims of abuse spanning several years.

A previously unpublished 2021 government report, released by Peter Magyar, revealed that over 20% of children in state-run care had been subjected to abuse.

“We should be outraged at what is being done with the most vulnerable children,” said 73-year-old pensioner Zsuzsa Szalay, who attended the march.

Protesters criticized Orban’s response as inadequate, arguing that more decisive action was necessary. 16-year-old David Kozak, who joined the demonstration, said:

“Normally, a government would be toppled after a case like this.”

Political Ramifications

Orban faces what could be the toughest challenge of his 15-year tenure, with elections expected in April 2026. Last year, President Katalin Novak resigned amid public pressure after controversially pardoning the deputy director of a state-run children’s school convicted of covering up sexual abuse.

Orban has publicly condemned the abuse, labeling it unacceptable and criminal, and stressed that even young offenders should not face such treatment. However, critics argue that the government’s repeated failures to prevent abuse have eroded public trust.

“For them, the problem is not that the abuses happened, but that they were revealed,” said Kozak.

International and Domestic Reactions

The demonstrations highlight growing concerns over child welfare in Hungary and have drawn attention from human rights organizations across Europe. The protests come amid wider scrutiny of Orban’s governance, with opposition parties demanding accountability and systemic reform.