Hungarian opposition vows 'year of resistance' in 2019

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Hungarian opposition parties vowed a 'year of resistance' against the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday, as they geared up for a new round of protests over the weekend against controversial new labor law.

"We vow to make 2019 a year of resistance, both inside and outside parliament. And we will do this with the unity and cooperation of all the opposition parties," the MPs declared in front of parliament in Budapest.

Following a holiday truce, opposition parties, trade unions and civil groups are hoping tens of thousands of demonstrators will join new protests in the Hungarian capital on Saturday against a controversial labor reform signed into law last month.

Described as a "slave law" by critics, the reform increases the amount of overtime that employers can demand from 250 to 400 hours per year and allows payment to be delayed by up to three years.

Demonstrators protest against recent legislative measures outside parliament in Budapest, Hungary, December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

The government says the law is needed to tackle Hungary's labor shortage and will enable those who wish to work more hours to earn more.

The move however sparked 10 days of violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the capital and other cities, before President Janos Ader signed the reform into law just before Christmas.

The opposition has also called for another recent reform to be scrapped that could threaten the independence of judges and is demanding greater freedom for public media.

Since he was re-elected for a third term last April, Orban has pursued reform policies aimed at creating an "illiberal democracy," helped by a majority in parliament which gives his Fidesz party and its allies the power to make constitutional changes.‍

(Top picture: Hungarian MPs of all parliamentary opposition parties take a symbolic oath in front of the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, January 3, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP