Thousands of people took part in an annual WWII-linked commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest.
Each year, far-right groups from across Europe meet in Budapest for what they call a “Day of Honour” to mark a failed attempt by Nazi and Hungarian troops in 1945 to break out of the city during the Soviet army’s siege.
While some events have been banned, including neo-Nazi concerts – which will still take place at undisclosed locations – an annual “memorial hike” is being held.
Journalists estimated that 4,000 people joined the “memorial hike” from Buda Castle, some of them wearing far-right insignia and even Nazi uniforms.
Among them was Zsolt, who said he wanted to honour “the heroes… the real Hungarians who defended the city” 80 years ago.
For far-right groups, the soldiers trying to break out of besieged Budapest in 1945 were “protecting Western Europe against the threat of the Red Army,” said researcher Hunyadi Bulcsu of the Political Capital think tank.
But since the attempt was carried out “in the name of Nazi Germany”, it cannot be “glorified” in any way, Bulcsu told AFP.
In 2023, the commemorations were overshadowed by violent attacks by far-left activists from abroad.
