Tens of Thousands Protest in Budapest Demanding Orbán's Resignation Amid Child Abuse Scandals

Mass Protests Rock Budapest Over Child Abuse Allegations

Tens of thousands of Hungarians took to the streets of Budapest on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in a powerful demonstration demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The protests, spearheaded by opposition leader Péter Magyar, were fueled by recent allegations of child abuse within state-run juvenile institutions and a perceived lack of government action. Protesters marched towards the Prime Minister's offices on Castle Hill, carrying banners that read 'Protect the children!' and soft toys in solidarity with victims.

New Allegations Spark Public Outcry

The immediate catalyst for the widespread outrage was the emergence of new allegations and leaked video footage depicting staff physically abusing minors at a juvenile detention center in Budapest. Reports specifically mentioned incidents at the Bicska Juvenile Correctional Institution and the Szolo Street juvenile detention centre. In response to the escalating scandal, the Hungarian government announced that all five state-run juvenile correctional institutions would be placed under direct police supervision. Prime Minister Orbán condemned the abuses, labeling them 'unacceptable and criminal.'

Echoes of Past Scandals and Political Fallout

This latest wave of protests follows a significant political crisis earlier in the year. In February 2024, both President Katalin Novák and Justice Minister Judit Varga resigned amidst public outcry. Their resignations stemmed from a controversial pardon granted to an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case at a children's home in Bicske. This prior scandal had already exposed deep-seated concerns about child protection within state institutions and the accountability of government officials.

Péter Magyar Challenges Government Ahead of Elections

Péter Magyar, a former government insider and now a prominent opposition figure leading the Tisza Party, has been at the forefront of these demonstrations. He has accused the government of systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children and has called for Orbán's immediate resignation. Magyar cited a previously unpublished official report from 2021, which he claims indicates that 'more than a fifth of children in state-run care institutions had been abused,' a claim disputed by Orbán's office. With national elections anticipated in April, the ongoing child abuse scandals and the public's response pose a significant challenge to Prime Minister Orbán's long-standing rule.