no MMA!

Hungary’s parliament is today expected to pass an amendment to its constitution which critics say will roll back democratic freedoms and weaken the judiciary.

This potentially puts the nation on a collision course with the EU after calls to postpone the vote were rebuffed.

Thousands of Hungarians took to the streets of Budapest over the weekend to protest the changes, which would allow the government to overrule objections from the Constitutional Court and push through measures including a ban on political campaigning in private media, a law requiring students who accept state scholarships to stay in Hungary and a ban on sleeping on the streets. “When they lay down in the constitution how those who have nowhere to go may or may not sleep on the street then we need to ask whether it’s us protesters who have gone crazy or those who write the constitution,” opposition activist Miklos Tamas Gaspar told protesters.

The Independent

This afternoon’s demonstration was impressive. At least in my opinion. Some people are disappointed that only 6,000 people showed up, but I don’t think that numbers are the most important consideration. Yesterday we didn’t even know who those handful of people were who occupied the courtyard of Fidesz’s party headquarters. A few hours later their numbers swelled to 1,000. Less than 24 hours later this unknown group managed to stage a demonstration in which thousands participated.

And this crowd, both yesterday and today, demanded “Constitution, Democracy and the Rule of Law.” These are exactly the kinds of values that European politicians cherish and that they demand from Viktor Orbán. The crowd was mixed: young, middle-aged, old, all mingled together, and there were a lot of sympathizers cheering them on. It is also significant that 110,000 people watched the live stream of the event.

Hungarian Spectrum

Press Statement

The Constitution is not a game! Protest against the newest newest modifications to the Hungarian Constitution which would result in the deprivation of Hungarian citizens of inalienable rights.

(Ádám Csillag)