Thousands march through Budapest in fourth day of anti-government protests

Jessica Buxbaum

Thousands have protested against Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban’s government’s “slave law”

Demonstrators hurled smoke grenades and authorities responded with tear gas as protests in Budapest against Hungary’s right-wing government continued into their fourth day, with dozens arrested and 14 police injured so far.

Protesters marched from Heroes’ Square to parliament and later to the state television headquarters on Sunday evening in a demonstration coined “Merry Xmas Mr Prime Minister”.

Organisers have denounced labour laws passed on Wednesday that increased the number of overtime hours per year from 250 to 400. The legislation also allows overtime payments to be delayed for up to three years.

Critics say the law clamps down on workers’ rights, earning it the nickname, the “slave law”.

However, Orban’s nationalist government says the reforms are needed to curb Hungary’s growing labour shortage.

The protests have also been directed against other policies, including a bill passed giving administrative courts the power to oversee civic issues such as electoral law, protest and corruption. Civil rights watchdogs argue these measures contribute to an erosion of democracy in the country.

Demonstrators span the political spectrum from the far-right members of the People’s Party to left-wing factions, greens, trade unions and students. The groups are united over concerns Orban’s government is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Orban, who has been in power since 2010, won re-election in April using anti-immigration campaign tactics. The president has championed himself as a crusader saving Hungary’s Christian culture from Muslim migration into Europe.

The government has accused Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros of stoking the unrest, labelling the protesters “mercenaries of George Soros”. Soros denies any connection to the demonstrations.

Orban’s ruling party, Fidesz, released a statement on Saturday saying it’s “increasingly obvious that criminals have been part of the street riots organised by the Soros-network”.