Monday July 8 was postponed, following wide spread protests in Budapest by demonstrators wanting a recount of the votes.
"The parliamentary elections’ ballot papers must be kept until July 20, " the Interior Ministry’s administrative state secretary Zoltan Toth was quoted as saying by Hungarian Radio. Toth denied media reports that the destruction of the ballot papers was due to start, Hungarian Radio said.
It was unclear if the decision was made under pressure of demonstrators, who had blocked the key Erzsebet (Elizabeth) Bridge and other traffic points in down town Budapest since Thursday. BosNewsLife reporter watched as riot police tried to push back angry protesters on the bridge on Thursday, July 4.
"SECRET SERVICE AGENTS"
Some of them shouted "Communists, Communists" and "Secret Service Agents" as police arrested several people while at least one journalist was reportedly beaten. Other protesters recited the Hungarian National Anthem, when police officers ordered them to leave the scene.
Under Hungarian law, demonstrations must be announced at least 72 hours before they are staged. A total of 58 protesters were taken into custody and all but five were later released and fined, said Interior Minister Monika Lamperth.
Several people were wounded during the clashes, including at least one journalist, police officials explained.
ANGRY AT MEDGYESSY
Demonstrators told BosNewsLife they were angry that Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy remains in office, despite revelations that he served as a counter intelligence officer for the feared Communist secret service between 1977 and 1982.
Dissidents as well as church leaders and individual Christians were persecuted for decades by the service and other institutions run by the Communists, many of whom are in the Hungarian Socialist Party.
The Socialist-Liberal government replaced Viktor Orban’s right-wing coalition after April ballots, with a majority of only 10 deputies in the 386-seat parliament. However there have been reports about irregularities, but the National Election Commission said it does not believe this would have changed the outcome.
CHURCH LEADERS
Prime Minister Medgyessy, who recently opened a dialogue with church leaders, has urged the country to remain calm and respect democracy.
The authorities also supported America’s Independence Day celebrations on Thursday July 4, something unthinkable under Communism. Hungarian interior ministry helicopters circled above a Salute to America boat trip on the Danube river on July 4.
Salamon Berkowitz, a Hungarian born Orthodox Jew from New York who organized the trip for leading Hungarian figures and Americans, told BosnewsLife it was important to honor the victims of the September 11 with prayers.
"Being a New Yorker, and having lost many people in the attacks, I am sure they would want us to show unity," he said. Former Ambassador to Hungary, Peter F. Tufo, stressed he did not believe it was wrong to celebrate American democracy, despite the attacks.
CELEBRATING AMERICAN FREEDOM
"We have to celebrate American freedom and the success so far in the war against terrorism," he said in an interview with BosNewsLife. However not everyone agreed. In a controversial move the American embassy cancelled the official celebrations.
"In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001…I have decided not to celebrate in the usual way," said current Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker in a letter obtained by BosNewsLife.
"In keeping with a more somber national mood, and like many other United States Missions throughout the world, our Embassy will not sponsor the traditional large national day celebration this year," she added.
There were however fireworks that illuminated the skies over Budapest, as a reminder that freedom can still work despite terrorist threats, eye-witnesses said.
