Tens of thousands of people marched in Budapest on October 23 in rival political rallies to mark the anniversary of the 1956 uprising against the communist government that was violently put down by Soviet troops.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban led what he called a "peace march," stressing his opposition to military support for Ukraine, while his main challenger, Peter Magyar of the Tisza Party, led a competing protest.

In an address to the crowd in front of parliament, Orban reiterated his opposition to EU military aid for Ukraine as well as potential EU and NATO membership for the country.

"The war is blocking the growth of the European and Hungarian economies," Orban said.

The prime minister told tens of thousands of supporters that Hungarians who believe they are supporting a change of government "are in fact supporting war, whether they realize it or not."

Orban is seen as Moscow's closest ally within the European Union, but some of his supporters say his stance simply advances Hungarian interests. Orban had hoped to host a US-Russia summit in Budapest to discuss the war in Ukraine, but US President Donald Trump said on October 22 that he canceled the meeting for the time being.

Orban, 62, has served four consecutive terms as prime minister since 2010, but faces declining popularity ahead of elections due to take place next spring. He is trailing Magyar in most polls.

Supporters of Magyar's Tisza party turned out in high numbers for the opposition rally calling for political change.

Magyar, 44, has been campaigning against what he calls a "corrupt" political elite and has attacked what he said was a dangerous consolidation of power under Orban.

Magyar accused Orban of rebuilding the one-party state he had helped dismantle in 1989 during the country's democratic transition.