Orbán’s Self-imposed Predicament

The events of recent weeks have not yet created an alloy strong enough to merge all Hungarian opposition parties. However, there has been a definite breakthrough in the surprisingly-effective, experimental political system, which leads to the conclusion that it will be increasingly difficult for Orbán to keep pretending Hungary is a democracy.

There has been an important change in Hungary, protests that began on December 12 have been regularly held throughout the country. The demonstration in Budapest has finally united the opposition, trade unions and the civil society. These three groups have so far not been able to establish strategic cooperation. Amazingly though, the government has helped them in their endeavours.

The main reason for the protests is a new law – referred to as the “slave law” – which gives employers the opportunity to increase the permissible number of overtime an employee can be required to work from 250 to 400 per year (ten additional full-time weeks), and at the same time extends the time period for payment to the employees for this work up to three years.

Moreover, the law was passed in violation of the parliamentary rules and was quickly signed by President Janos Ader.