Hungary encounters fourth day of protests
Protesters oppose laws that critics say will restrict workers’ rights
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY— Several thousand protesters marched through Budapest for a fourth day to oppose laws promoted by the Hungarian government that critics say will restrict workers’ rights and already have undermined democracy.
The protesters chanted antigovernment slogans and braved sub-zero temperatures Sunday while gathered in front of parliament, where speakers denounced revised overtime rules that lawmakers approved Wednesday.
The changes increased the maximum amount of overtime workers can put in a year from 250 to 400 hours to offset Hungary’s growing labour shortage and gives employers three years instead of one to settle payments of accrued overtime.
Since the first protest on Wednesday night and others held Thursday and Friday, the demonstrations have evolved to encompass other policies of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, including another bill passed Wednesday that establishes a separate court for administrative matters. A government spokesman, asked to comment on Sunday’s demonstration, said in an email that citizens had a constitutional right to assemble freely as long as laws weren’t broken in the process.
On Thursday, some protesters threw bottles and smoke bombs at officers in riot gear guarding the neo-Gothic parliament building.
Police said two officers were injured. The demonstrations have attracted participants from across Hungary’s spectrum. They include members of Jobbik, which started out as a radical right movement and has worked to reframe itself as a “people’s’ ” party.
Central European University announced this month it was leaving Hungary for Austria, saying it had been “chased out” by Orban’s government.