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Central Europe
December 14, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 16
with MPs walking up and down, whistling, blowing sirens and holding up banners.
Fidesz group leader slammed "Jobbik's hooligans and Liberal anarchists" for their "aggressive attitude" and insisted that the developments "cannot be left without consequences". House speaker Laszlo Kover spoke of an attempted coup.
The co-ruling Christian Democrats said in a statement that Wednesday's session had been "shameful" and insisted that "a politically weak opposition tried to prevent parliament's work through physical force.
Pro-government think-tanks also blasted the opposition, calling their actions aggressive.
The Socialists said Wednesday's session was scandalous and illegitimate and argued that the MPs had been allowed to vote without their IDs, which made it impossible to identify who was voting. Other MP's slammed President Janos Ader, who was present at the session, for failing to prevent the labour law.
Commenting on the passage of the amendments to overtime rules after the sitting, Orban told
journalists the law "is a good one and will do good for workers". When asked how it felt to have an opposition MP blow a whistle in his face he said: "In Fidesz, we call that doing one's service for the country".
Supporters of the opposition parties gathered
in front of parliament after the end of the
session. The protesters, many of whom chanted "down with the government", marched from the parliament building to Margaret Bridge and then on to Fidesz’ headquarters, blocking traffic. Two demonstrators climbed on a balcony, while others attempted to enter the building.
The demonstration in front of the Fidesz building ended at 7pm, but participants went back to parliament. By 9pm the crowd filled Kossuth Square in front of the building and some demonstrators threw objects at the police cordon.
Some tried to enter the parliament building but the officers thwarted the attempt, using tear gas. The standoff lasted several hours. According to a police report, two officers were injured when they were sprayed with gas by a protester.