worst anti-government violence since the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 against Soviet domination was crushed by Russian troops.
At least a dozen people were injured in a third night of clashes between riot police and protestors who demand the resignation of Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany because he admitted he and his government lied over the state of the economy.
Despite reinforcements, riot police have failed to prevent an outburst of violence in Budapest. Early Thursday, September 21, police sirens wailed throughout the city center and clouds of tear gas were seen above several squares. There were similar scenes as during a previous night of fighting around the building of near the headquarters of the ruling Hungarian Socialist Party and around Hungarian state-run television.
Riot police using tear gas and water cannons, tried to disperse the crowd of mostly young people, some of them wearing Nazi tattoos and waving with flags Hungary used during World War Two when it was a close ally of Nazi Germany.
HURLING OBJECTS
Demonstrators shouted slogans and hurled objects at the police, a police car was set ablaze, and trash cans were put on fire. The demonstrators say they will continue till the prime minister leaves. On Thursday, September 21, the beleaguered politician tried to convince the center rights opposition parties to participate in four party talks, but they refused.
The largest opposition party also called of a rally planned for Saturday, September 23, in which hundreds of thousands of people were due to participate. "So far the government couldn’t guarantee a peaceful gathering for the people,” said Fidesz official Laszlo Kover. "That’s why Fidesz will call off the rally till after the municipal elections on October 1, so people can have a peaceful weekend," he added.
Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany seemed pleased. “I am happy the planned demonstration was called off…," he said before adding sarcastically: “This is the only one good decision they made…”
NO REASON
Fidesz and others have said they see no reason for talks with Gyurcsany who they describe as an "illegitimate" leader because he lied over the seriousness of the economic problems in Hungary. In a leaked tape, the prime minister can be heard as telling a closed meeting of his Socialist Party that he and his colleagues “lied in the morning, day and evening” about the economic situation of Hungary.
Despite an austerity package aimed at reducing the country’s budget deficit, it remains the highest within the European Union, raising serious doubts as to whether Hungary, which joined the E.U. in 2004, will be able to introduce the euro currency any time soon.
Some protestors have compared the situation with the Orange Revolution for more freedom in neighboring Ukraine and the Hungarian 1956 Revolution, but Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany disagrees and has condemned the violent demonstrations.
PEOPLE "DON’T UNDERSTAND"
"Just because 2,000 or 3,000 people don’t understand what [they] can do and what one must not do, is not right foundation or a right cause to turn up [sight down] the peace and the calm of the country," he said. He also told reporters in Budapest that he will not resign and plans to continue with his austerity measures.
"Fiscal adjustments and reforms," he said. "I know this is very difficult and difficult for the people, but this is the only one route for Hungary."
A recent opinion poll shows 43 percent of Hungarians want him to resign. But slightly more people 47 percent say he should not resign as in their words "all politicians lie."
Gyurcsany still has the support of his Hungarian Socialist Party. But analysts warn that with ongoing demonstrations, he may not be able to finish a full term in office.
His dismissal could not come soon enough for the center right opposition and up to 15,000 demonstrators gathering in front of Hungary’s parliament building. In the middle of the square is a coffin draped in black surrounded by large portraits of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and the leader of the Socialists liberal coalition partner. A banner reads: "We are burying the Gyurcsany-government; for you there is no resurrection."
Hungarian churches have expressed concern about the statements of Gyurcsany, a former Communist, while Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom already spoke of "a moral crisis" in Hungary, which became democratic in 1990 after decades under a Soviet backed regime. (With BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest. Part of this BosNewsLife story also aired on Voice of America (VOA) network).
