Every day this week I have walked by the Parliament on my way to class to monitor the protests against the Prime Minister. After admitting two weeks ago that he lied to the Hungarian people day, noon, and night about the state of the country's economy, people have been camped out (literally, as in sleeping in tents) on the front lawn of the Parliament. Except for the first two nights, protests have been peaceful.
Yesterday as the Parliament cast a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister, as many as 50,000 people turned out outside the Parliament. This was easily the largest demonstration yet. The police blocked off the streets immediately surrounding the Parliament and set up a screen two blocks from the Parliament so people could actually see what was going on. The peaceful demonstration was marked by live music and speeches. It was quite the experience to make my way through the thick crowds and the stream of red, white and green Hungarian flags all around. The local news also showed people holding clocks (I guess to indicate that it was time for the Prime Minister to go) but I personally did not see this.
For more information please check out the BBC and CNN stories at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5411022.stm and http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/10/06/hungary.vote.ap/index.html.
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