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Hungarians stage Budapest protest against internet tax | Hungarians stage Budapest protest against internet tax |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Thousands of protesters in the Hungarian capital Budapest have demanded a halt to a proposed law which would place a tax on internet use. | Thousands of protesters in the Hungarian capital Budapest have demanded a halt to a proposed law which would place a tax on internet use. |
Demonstrators held their mobile phones aloft outside the economy ministry and hurled old computer parts at the gates of the ruling Fidesz party. | Demonstrators held their mobile phones aloft outside the economy ministry and hurled old computer parts at the gates of the ruling Fidesz party. |
Campaigners say the legislation is "anti-democratic" and will hit the poor. | Campaigners say the legislation is "anti-democratic" and will hit the poor. |
Ministers have promised to place a cap on the tax. | Ministers have promised to place a cap on the tax. |
The draft law, proposed by the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, would levy a fee of 150 forints (£0.40; €0.50; $0.60) per gigabyte of data traffic. | The draft law, proposed by the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, would levy a fee of 150 forints (£0.40; €0.50; $0.60) per gigabyte of data traffic. |
But many of those who gathered in Budapest on Sunday are worried about the consequences. | But many of those who gathered in Budapest on Sunday are worried about the consequences. |
Rally organisers said the move "follows a wave of alarming anti-democratic measures by Orban that is pushing Hungary even further adrift from Europe". | Rally organisers said the move "follows a wave of alarming anti-democratic measures by Orban that is pushing Hungary even further adrift from Europe". |
In response, the ruling Fidesz party said it would submit an amendment to the law ensuring that monthly payments of the tax were capped at 700 forints. | |
Despite divisions within Fidesz, Mr Orban commands broad popularity in Hungary and the party has won three elections this year. | Despite divisions within Fidesz, Mr Orban commands broad popularity in Hungary and the party has won three elections this year. |
But his opponents have decried what they see as his increasingly authoritarian style and his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin. | But his opponents have decried what they see as his increasingly authoritarian style and his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
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