Hungary Marks 70 Years Since the 1956 Uprising

Hungarian and European leaders have commemorated the victims of the 1956 uprising, seven decades after Soviet forces crushed the revolt.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar attended a flag-raising ceremony outside the Hungarian parliament on Lajos Kossuth Square in Budapest. He later laid flowers at memorials and graves, including the grave of former Prime Minister Imre Nagy, who was executed after the revolution.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the commemorations and addressed Hungarian lawmakers during a special parliamentary session. European Council President António Costa also attended the session.

Remembering the 1956 revolt

The uprising began on 23 October 1956 and continued for 15 days before Soviet troops and tanks defeated it. The suppression killed up to 3,000 Hungarian revolutionaries, according to the source report.

In her address, von der Leyen praised the courage of Hungarians who fought for freedom, democracy and justice. She also drew comparisons between the country’s 1956 history and Hungary’s recent political transition following Viktor Orbán’s departure from power.

Dispute over EU funding

The commemorations took place as Hungary seeks the release of billions of euros in frozen European Union funding. The money remains withheld over concerns about the rule of law and corruption.

Brussels maintains that further reforms are required before the funds can be unlocked. The supplied information does not specify the amount being sought or the reforms requested by the European Union.