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Hungary's political parties remember 1956 anti-Soviet revolution but focus on 2014 elections

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Hungary Anniversary Of 1956
    Image 1 of 3

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his speech during a ceremony to mark the 57th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution and war of independence against communist rule and the Soviet Union in 1956 in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI,Tamas Kovacs) (The Associated Press)

  • 37c2ff56-Hungary Anniversary Of 1956
    Image 2 of 3

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his speech during a ceremony to mark the 57th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution and war of independence against communist rule and the Soviet Union in 1956 in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI,Tamas Kovacs) (The Associated Press)

  • 176f2007-Hungary Anniversary Of 1956
    Image 3 of 3

    Honour guards hold historic flags as they march during a ceremony to mark the 57th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution and war of independence against communist rule and the Soviet Union in 1956 on the Heroes' Square in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI,Tibor Illyes) (The Associated Press)

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary's main political parties have commemorated the brief anti-Soviet revolution of 1956 while focusing on next year's parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday urged his populist Fidesz party to "start up the machinery and get our forces ready for battle" to defend its landslide victory of 2010. Orban criticized the opposition Socialist Party for its ties to the communist system which collapsed in 1990, claiming the Socialists would again "hand over Hungary to the colonizers."

The Socialists and several smaller left-wing groups held their own 1956 memorial. Speakers called for unity as the key to defeating Orban, whose party leads in polls ahead of elections in April or May.

Wednesday was the anniversary of the start of the popular uprising, which was swiftly crushed by Soviet forces.