Thousands of Hungarians protested in Budapest on Thursday, resuming demonstrations that started on Wednesday against new legislation governing labor regulations and which would exempt government from independent control by the courts.
The ruling populist right-wing Fidesz party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban passed both new laws on Wednesday, over opposition protests inside parliament and rioting on the street.
Around 3,000 demonstrators gathered at parliament on Thursday and later blocked traffic on one of the bridges over the Danube.
“Discontent has brought us here ... one is the issue of the courts, which is the next phase of cementing their power,” said Tamas Szabo, 65, who came with a Hungarian flag. “The other (law) is a slap on the face of working people.”
The protesters were mostly upset with labor rules, which allow employers to require up to 400 overtime hours per year.
People march at the Chain Bridge during a protest against the new labor law in Budapest, Hungary, December 13, 2018. /VCG Photo
The demonstrations on Wednesday began in front of the Hungarian parliament and spread through the city, stopping traffic in some of the busiest areas and reaching the headquarters of the ruling Fidesz party.
In September the European Parliament voted to impose sanctions on Hungary for flouting EU rules on democracy, civil rights and corruption. Certain of the support from Poland, Hungary rejected the accusations.
Orban is in Brussels for an EU summit, for talks on Brexit, the euro zone, migration and Russia, among others.
(Cover: People march past a policeman during a protest against the new labor law in Budapest, Hungary, December 14, 2018. /VCG Photo)