The opposition Socialist Party said in a statement that the 1956 revolutionaries believed that an oppressive state or “sheer Soviet force” could not destroy the nation’s craving for freedom, adding that in 2015, Hungary “once again has leaders who seek to control the people through a combination of deceit, intimidation and sheer force”.

Ferenc Gyurcsány, head of the opposition Democratic Coalition, said in Budapest that freedom can only become reality for many if it is matched with the possibility of advancement. October 23 is about an irrepressible hope and yearning for freedom, Bernadett Szél, co-chair of the green party LMP, said.

The ideas formulated at the onset of the revolution have never lost their validity, she added.

Co-chairman of the opposition Dialogue for Hungary (PM) Gergely Karácsony said that on October 23 “everyone is taking their pick” from the heroes of 1956, choosing the one best suited to their own political views, even though 1956 was far richer and there is “no need for privatising various parts of it”.

Civil groups held a demonstration in front of the National Museum in Budapest to call for unity against Viktor Orbán’s government.

The demonstration, attended by about 300 protesters, was organised by the New Republic of Hungary Association. Executive Zoltán Vajda said the association was creating a movement so that “Hungary can break free of its captor”, who he said was the prime minister.

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MTI photo: Illyés Tibor