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Third night of Hungarian protests Hungary PM's crisis talks snubbed
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people have gathered outside the Hungarian parliament in Budapest for a third night to demand the resignation of the government. Hungary's main opposition party, Fidesz, has rejected talks with the Socialist-led government about the continuing anti-government riots.
On previous nights the protests have led to violent clashes, which police say have been orchestrated by far-right groups and known football hooligans. "It makes no sense talking with the government," said Fidesz spokesman Peter Szijjarto.
PM Ferenc Gyurcsany remains defiant and has said he will not tolerate violence. About 15 people were hurt in clashes with police after a third night of protests in the capital, Budapest.
The protests were sparked by a leaked tape in which Mr Gyurcsany said he lied about the economy to win re-election. The rallies were sparked by a leaked tape in which PM Ferenc Gyurcsany said he had lied about the economy.
Violence condemned
The government is seeking consensus for police moves to tackle the violence, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Budapest.
Fidesz has defended the right of people to protest peacefully, but has also unequivocally condemned the violence.
Many of those taking part in peaceful rallies during the day are Fidesz supporters.
The violence each night has been partly blamed by police on known football hooligans, our correspondent reports.
Fidesz plans to go ahead with a mass rally in the capital on Saturday.
The prime minister remains defiant and has said he will not tolerate violence.
The Socialist leader has resisted opposition calls to resign, and says he remains committed to a programme of tough economic reforms.The Socialist leader has resisted opposition calls to resign, and says he remains committed to a programme of tough economic reforms.
Mr Gyurcsany told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday he would have "no patience" with rioters. We lied morning, noon and night Ferenc GyurcsanyExcerpt from leaked tape href="/1/hi/world/europe/5359546.stm" class="">Excerpts from speech href="/1/hi/world/europe/5360116.stm" class="">Tough-talking Gyurcsany
We lied morning, noon and night Ferenc GyurcsanyExcerpt from leaked tape href="/1/hi/world/europe/5359546.stm" class="">Excerpts from speech href="/1/hi/world/europe/5363138.stm" class="">Troubled PM vows to stay href="/1/hi/world/europe/5360116.stm" class="">Tough-talking Gyurcsany "The government will hold firm on the only track possible: the policies of reform to ensure development and economic stability," he said. More than 100 police officers have been hurt in the street violence and scores of protesters detained over the last three days. Tear gas has been used to disperse the crowds.
One hundred and forty police officers have so far been hurt in the street violence in Hungary, and a similar number of protesters detained, according to the latest police figures.
The Socialist government has blamed the right-wing opposition for not doing enough to calm the situation.The Socialist government has blamed the right-wing opposition for not doing enough to calm the situation.
Long campaign Viktor Orban, the Fidesz leader, said the local elections in Hungary in two weeks' time should act as a referendum.
Viktor Orban, the leader of Fidesz - the main opposition conservative party - said that the local elections in Hungary, due to take place in two weeks time, should act as a referendum. HAVE YOUR SAY I don't see any solution to our situation other than a new election or the prime minister resigning Ilona Kovacs, Budapest, Hungary href="/1/hi/talking_point/5363492.stm" class="">Hungarian readers' views href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3883&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't see any solution to our situation other than a new election or the prime minister resigning Ilona Kovacs, Budapest, Hungary href="/1/hi/talking_point/5363492.stm" class="">Hungarian readers' views href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3883&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments "The situation is that in Hungary today, the legitimacy of the government has become questionable," he said. "The situation is that in Hungary today, the legitimacy of the government has become questionable," he said.
"It does not have the basic trust necessary to enjoy the support of the electorate, nor does it have the basic trust necessary to complete any programme to manage the financial crisis.""It does not have the basic trust necessary to enjoy the support of the electorate, nor does it have the basic trust necessary to complete any programme to manage the financial crisis."
If the Socialist party is defeated, he suggested, they should step down and be replaced, for a limited period, by a government of experts.If the Socialist party is defeated, he suggested, they should step down and be replaced, for a limited period, by a government of experts.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Budapest says a student demonstration planned for Thursday has been cancelled because of the tension in the capital.
But a large gathering planned for Saturday by Fidesz is still going ahead, he says.
On the grass lawn in front of parliament, the protesters have pitched larger tents, suggesting a long campaign, he adds.