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| Large protest in support of Hungary's Soros-backed university | Large protest in support of Hungary's Soros-backed university |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people have taken part in a protest in Hungary to demand the abolition of laws which could force the closure of one of the country's most prestigious universities. | Thousands of people have taken part in a protest in Hungary to demand the abolition of laws which could force the closure of one of the country's most prestigious universities. |
| New rules introduced by the government mean the Central European University (CEU) would be unable to award diplomas because it is registered in the US. | New rules introduced by the government mean the Central European University (CEU) would be unable to award diplomas because it is registered in the US. |
| The university was founded by philanthropist George Soros. | The university was founded by philanthropist George Soros. |
| The legislation has already been rushed through parliament. | The legislation has already been rushed through parliament. |
| Demonstrators in the capital on Sunday want President Janos Ader not to sign the controversial legislation backed by the governing right wing Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. | Demonstrators in the capital on Sunday want President Janos Ader not to sign the controversial legislation backed by the governing right wing Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. |
| At the scene: The BBC's Erika Benke in Budapest | At the scene: The BBC's Erika Benke in Budapest |
| Unlike last Sunday's protest, it was not just students who were out in the street - there were also lots of families, with some middle-aged and some elderly people in the crowd. | Unlike last Sunday's protest, it was not just students who were out in the street - there were also lots of families, with some middle-aged and some elderly people in the crowd. |
| They marched peacefully in the bright spring sunshine, crossing Budapest's historic Chain Bridge as they headed towards Parliament. The protesters chanted slogans urging President Janos Ader to ask the Constitutional Court to review the new law adopted by parliament last week that is likely to lead to the closure of the CEU. | They marched peacefully in the bright spring sunshine, crossing Budapest's historic Chain Bridge as they headed towards Parliament. The protesters chanted slogans urging President Janos Ader to ask the Constitutional Court to review the new law adopted by parliament last week that is likely to lead to the closure of the CEU. |
| BBC Budapest correspondent Nick Thorpe says it was probably the biggest anti-government protest in Budapest since Mr Orban came to power seven years ago. | BBC Budapest correspondent Nick Thorpe says it was probably the biggest anti-government protest in Budapest since Mr Orban came to power seven years ago. |
| The protesters took to the streets both to defend the CEU and protest against attempts by the government to pressure human rights and environmental groups which support refugees. | |
| At least 50,000 people - organisers say as many as 80,000 protesters - took part in the demonstration. | At least 50,000 people - organisers say as many as 80,000 protesters - took part in the demonstration. |
| The government passed amendments to the Higher Education Act last week which would make it impossible for the CEU to continue working in Budapest - 26 years after it was set up by Hungarian-born billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros. | The government passed amendments to the Higher Education Act last week which would make it impossible for the CEU to continue working in Budapest - 26 years after it was set up by Hungarian-born billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros. |
| The government opposes the liberal outlook of both the university and many non-governmental organisations. | The government opposes the liberal outlook of both the university and many non-governmental organisations. |
| The CEU has vowed to fight the legislation. The English-speaking university is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in eight disciplines. | The CEU has vowed to fight the legislation. The English-speaking university is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in eight disciplines. |
| Mr Soros has a strained relationship with Mr Orban - a keen supporter of US President Donald Trump - who has accused the financier of wanting a role in Hungarian politics and supporting the influx of migrants into Europe. | Mr Soros has a strained relationship with Mr Orban - a keen supporter of US President Donald Trump - who has accused the financier of wanting a role in Hungarian politics and supporting the influx of migrants into Europe. |
| Mr Orban recently claimed Hungary was "under siege" from asylum seekers. | Mr Orban recently claimed Hungary was "under siege" from asylum seekers. |
| The prime minister won a scholarship sponsored by Mr Soros to study at Oxford university and the pair were allies in the days immediately following the fall of communism in 1989. | The prime minister won a scholarship sponsored by Mr Soros to study at Oxford university and the pair were allies in the days immediately following the fall of communism in 1989. |
| The Central European University | The Central European University |