By the Government has countered by claiming US billionaire George Soros – a frequent critic of Mr Orban – of orchestrating the protests. Thousands of Hungarians hit the streets of the country’s capital Budapest yesterday in the fourth and largest protest in a week against what they see as the draconian policies of right-wing nationalist Mr Orban, well-known for his tough anti-immigration stance and frequent clashes with Brussels. Braving sub-zero temperatures, setting off flares and waving Hungarian and European Union flags, about 10,000 demonstrators walked from historic Heroes’ Square toward the National Assembly before heading to the state television station in a march dubbed “Merry Xmas Mr Prime Minister”.
One of their major objections is rules which would allow employers to ask for 400 hours of overtime per year, dubbed “slave laws” by critics.
The march was largely peaceful until police fired tear gas at protesters jostling outside the TV station late at night.
Footage showed people crouching and blinded by the gas.
The demonstration, organised by opposition parties, students, and trade unions, demanded a free media, withdrawal of a labor law increasing overtime, and an independent judiciary.
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Hundreds of police in riot gear shepherded what was one of the biggest demonstrations Mr Orban has faced since he rose to power in 2010 and began wielding his large parliamentary majority to pressure courts, media and non-government groups.
The prime minister projects himself as saviour of Hungary’s Christian culture against Muslim migration into Europe, and won a third straight term earlier this year, with his Fidesz party taking 44.87 percent of the votes and 133 of the 199 seats in the National Assembly, giving him an unassailable majority.
On Saturday, Fidesz said “criminals” were behind the “street riots” and accused Hungarian-born Mr Soros of stirring things up.
Mr Soros is a strong critic of Mr Orban but denies claims against him of being behind the protests as lies.
Late on Sunday, several opposition politicians gained access to the state TV building in Budapest demanding to have a petition read out, but security personnel told them that was impossible.
“The TV is lying!” shouted protesters, of the state channel viewed as mouthpiece for the government.
They also chanted: “Dirty Fidesz!”
Andi, 26, a sociology student who did not want to give her full name, claimed: “Discontent is growing.
“They have passed two laws this week which won’t serve Hungarian people’s interest.”
She was referring to the much criticised “slave law” labour legislation and new courts for sensitive issues such as elections, protests and corruption.
Frequently clashing with the European Union over his policies, Mr Orban has tweaked the election system to favor Fidesz and put loyalists at the head of institutions amid allegations of allies having enriched themselves.
Mr Orban has often clashed with Brussels as he has built a system that his critics see as autocratic, boosting his control over the courts and the media.
But he has rarely angered large voter groups at home, and the opposition is weak and fragmented.
The second-largest party, Jobbik, which has 26 seats, has been branded “anti-Semitic” by Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Council.
A coalition of the left-leaning Hungarian Socialist Party and the Greens, has just 30 seats.
Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit negotiator, is one of those keeping a close eye on events, tweeting late yesterday: “People are fed up with Orbán & co and they are ready to push back, starting by demanding free media. Your place is in Europe my friends, keep up Hungarian #democracy!”