Leaders of Hungary’s leading conservative and liberal parties have dismissed a call by Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány for an “anti-extremist” rally in September, saying both will probably not attend the event.
According to index.hu, leading Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) figure Gábor Horn said that since Gyurcsány announced the proposed event without discussing it with other parties and citizens, it would essentially be a Socialist (MSZP) rally. He also said that the “Magyar Charta” (Hungarian Charter) proposed by Gyurcsány is unnecessary, as there are already laws against the sort of violence which took place during Saturday’s gay pride march, after which Horn himself was assaulted.
Horn’s dissent was echoed by newly-elected SZDSZ chairman Gábor Fodor, who said that his party would only participate in the rally if it was supported by parties other than the MSZP.
Fidesz Chairman Viktor Orbán similarly said that the primary issue was the ability of the police to protect the rights of those engaged in lawfully registered and peaceful public events, and suggested that Gyurcsány work with law enforcement officials to fix the problem. Party Vice-Chairman Lajos Kósa added that, if the police cannot secure such an event it means that not only have they failed, but the politicians to whom they report. Kósa also noted Gyurcsány’s call for a new “charter” or commission or movement to fight extremism is admission that he is unable to improve the situation.
[On Tuesday, the Pest Central District Court ruled that the throwing of eggs is protected by the right to freedom of expression, handing out fines only to protestors at Saturday's event who refused to comply with instructions by police to stop.]
While agreeing with the overall sentiment that enforcement of existing law should be the priority, SZDSZ head Fodor added that some modifications of these regulations may be in order, as it makes little sense that those who break traffic laws can face fines in the hundreds of thousands of forints, while violent attacks like the ones committed on Saturday often result in no punishment.
One has to wonder if my speech would be protected if I decided to egg the judges as the enter/leave their workplace.