Tens of
thousands of Hungarians have staged anti-corruption protests in Budapest and
other cities. They challenged Prime Minister Viktor Orban's refusal to dismiss
tax authority head, Ildiko Vida.
Deutsche Welle, 18 Nov 2014
Hungarians
on Monday staged their fourth protest within a month against Orban's policies
and demanded greater accountability. Riot police clashed outside parliament
with several hundred protestors who defied calls to leave.
Smaller
protests also took place in 20 other cities and in European capitals like
London, Berlin and Stockholm.
Last month,
the US embassy in Budapest said at least six Hungarian officials and business
associates would be denied entry to the US because of alleged corruption that
harm US firms.
Tax chief
Ildiko Vida said early this month that she was one of six people barred entry.
She denied any wrongdoing and refused to resign.
'Orban get
out!'
At Monday's
protest, dubbed "Public Outrage Day," the crowd held up placards with
messages to the government such as, "We can't pay as much taxes as you
steal" and "we don't pay tax to criminals." Protestors shouted
"Orban get out!"
"Politicians
are getting richer and richer and in this democracy they're the only ones
winning," said student Anna Der.
Orban was elected in April with a large margin |
"We
are an EU country, and we want to stay in Europe, where we belong," said
student Balint Farkas, accusing Orban of seeking closer ties with Russia.
Internet
tax shelved
Last month,
protests larger than Monday's turnout forced Orban to shelve his plan to imposea tax on Internet use.
Orban and
his right-wing Fidesz party were re-elected last April after wins at European
and municipal elections. The opposition is fragmented and includes several
left-wing parties and the far-right Jobbik.
In
September, US President Barack Obama accused Hungarian authorities of harassing
civic organizations.
Orban has
raised concern in the US and EU with policies that his critics say have
penalized big businesses, limited democratic freedoms, and pulled Hungary
closer into the Kremlin's orbit.
ipj/sb (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)
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