Hungarians rally in mass protest against bill allowing blacklisting of Orbán critics

Around 10,000 protesters have gathered in Hungary's capital to oppose a bill by the country's right-wing government that critics say targets free speech and independent media. The proposed legislation, expected to pass with the ruling Fidesz party’s two-thirds majority, would allow the government to monitor and potentially ban organizations receiving foreign funding. Opponents compare it to Russia’s “foreign agent” law and view it as a major threat to civil liberties. The protest on Sunday follows weeks of unrest over an anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in March. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims foreign interests aim to destabilize his government, while watchdog groups argue their work supports democracy and transparency.