Hungarian Political Figure Faces Backlash Over Video Featuring Communist-Era Song

Budapest, Hungary – Hungarian State Secretary Péter Takács sparked controversy after posting a video on his Facebook page featuring a song strongly associated with the country’s communist past. The incident, which occurred on March 14, 2026, quickly drew criticism and led to the removal of the original post, followed by a subsequent explanation from Takács.

The Song’s History and Significance

The song in question, “Sej, a mi lobogónkat” (roughly translated as “Behold, Our Flag”), was a popular tune during school celebrations in Hungary prior to the 1989-1990 political transition. However, its origins trace back to a Moldavian Hungarian folk song, with lyrics written by Ferenc Jankovich between 1945 and 1947. The song became a symbolic anthem of the communist regime following the 1948-49 power takeover and remained so for decades. [1, 2, 3]

As Telex reported, the song likewise held significance in the work of filmmaker Miklós Jancsó, specifically in his film “Fényes szelek” (Bright Winds), where it played a role in evoking the era’s theological, moral, and emotional conflicts. [2]

The Incident and Response

The video posted by Takács depicted a nine-second clip of his own face on a campaign poster alongside a Hungarian flag. The inclusion of “Sej, a mi lobogónkat” as background music was quickly noticed by readers of Telex, who brought the matter to public attention. [2, 4]

Following the initial outcry, Takács removed the original video and replaced it with an image featuring a cropped version of the video and the caption: “Látom, a komcsiknak továbbra sem erőssége az irónia” (I see the communists still don’t have a strength for irony). [2, 4]

Context and Reactions

The use of the song is particularly sensitive given its historical association with a period of political repression in Hungary. As Független Nemzet points out, the song’s presence in a contemporary political video inevitably evokes historical memories and layers of meaning. [3]

The incident occurred as Takács concluded his role as State Secretary, having recently delivered a farewell speech where he stated that “good work had been done.” [4]

Key Takeaways

• Péter Takács, a Hungarian State Secretary, used a song with strong ties to the communist era in a Facebook video.
• The song, “Sej, a mi lobogónkat,” originated as a Moldavian folk song but became a symbol of the communist regime in Hungary.
• Takács removed the original video and posted a new image with a caption referencing irony.
• The incident sparked criticism due to the song’s sensitive historical context.