Hungarians Take to Budapest Streets to Protest 'Slave Law'

Thousands of people rallied in Budapest on Saturday, January 5, in a fresh protest against new labour laws in Hungary.

Hungarian opposition parties, trade unions and civil society organisations staged a series of protests over several weeks to denounce new legislation passed by the ruling Fidesz party, including the labour law that raises the number of overtime hours employers in Hungary can demand, which critics have dubbed the “slave law,” as well as one that creates courts under political control.

The demonstrators marched from the Heroes Square to parliament, carrying banners with slogans including, “Sweep away the regime,” referring to the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who critics said had become authoritarian. Credit: Caio Ruzzarin Machado via Storyful