BUDAPEST: Anti-government demonstrations in Budapest on Friday ended in clashes for a consecutive third night between police and protesters angry at Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s controversial new laws on workers rights and the judicial system.
Some of the 2,000 protesters outside the Hungarian parliament threw bottles and smokebombs at riot police who responded with tear gas.
During this week’s disturbances, the most violent in Hungary for over a decade, police said more than 50 people had been arrested and at least 14 police injured.
Demonstrators also marched along main roads and across bridges temporarily blocking traffic.
“Orban get lost! Viktator! Viktator!” they shouted.
The unrest was sparked after opposition parties blew sirens and whistles inside parliament Wednesday in an unsuccessful effort to prevent the adoption of two controversial bills.
A labour code change dubbed the ‘slave law’ by its critics hikes the maximum annual overtime hours for workers and extends the time period for calculating and paying overtime to three years.
Trade unions say the changes were made at the behest of large international manufacturing companies and could expose workers to exploitation as well as delay overtime payments.
According to the government the law will benefit both those wanting to work more hours and employers who need more manpower as the economy struggles with labour shortages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference with President of the European Commission...
Ukrainian servicemen fire during a drone strike, Kyiv, February 21, 2025. — ReutersWASHINGTON: U.S. negotiators...
US President Donald Trump hosts a business session with US governors who are in town for the National Governors...
The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, US, in this undated image. — AFP/FileWASHINGTON: President Donald...
French President Emmanuel Macron. — AFP/FilePARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that he will...
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis can be seen in this image. — AFP/FileVATICAN CITY: Pope Francis’...