Hungarians Agree On Need For A “Different” EU Relationship, But Split On Ukraine Stance
NEW POLL: HUNGARIANS UNITED ON NEED FOR A ‘DIFFERENT’ RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU, BUT DIVERGENCES REMAIN ON UKRAINE
Protests Welcome Merkel in Hungary on Monday
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Demonstrators hold a placard reading `We work you stea` (front) as they attend an anti-government protest on the Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, February 01, 2015. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Hungary's mass protests against PM Viktor Orban's policies were set off again on Sunday, right before German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit.
Between 3,000 and 4,000 people gathered on the streets of Budapest to express disagreement with Orban's pro-Russian course of action in front of the Hungarian Parliament, DW reported. The protesters appealed to Merkel and urged her to criticize the local government on their policies. People also demanded stronger commitment to EU integration, and increased compliance with the European convention on Human Rights, the Budapest Business Journal reported.
Angela Merkel arrived in the Hungarian capital on Monday to discuss the business relations between the two countries, the situation in Ukraine, and EU sanctions against Russia.
Orban's Fidesz and Merkel's Christian Democrats are both partners in the European Union's right-wing coalition.
Less than a year after Orban's government won the vast majority in Hungarian parliament - 133 out of 196 seats, protests started in late October 2014 after a proposed Internet tax () implementation. More of them followed in November when Orban's government was accused of corruption and too close association with Russia on controversial issues.
The Sunday protest was concluded with Beethoven's Ode to Joy, the EU anthem, FT reported.
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