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Budapest clashes as protest grows | Budapest clashes as protest grows |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, have used tear gas and water cannon against protesters who threw bottles and stones and set cars alight. | Police in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, have used tear gas and water cannon against protesters who threw bottles and stones and set cars alight. |
Thousands of demonstrators had gathered in the city, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany. | Thousands of demonstrators had gathered in the city, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany. |
After several hours the police withdrew, allowing protesters to break into the state television headquarters. | |
The protests follow Mr Gyurcsany's admission that his Socialist government told lies to win a general election. | |
At least 50 demonstrators were injured in clashes with police - the first such unrest to take place in Hungary since the fall of communism and the establishment of democracy in the late 1980s. | At least 50 demonstrators were injured in clashes with police - the first such unrest to take place in Hungary since the fall of communism and the establishment of democracy in the late 1980s. |
The main opposition party, the centre-right Fidesz, says it will boycott parliament on Tuesday. | The main opposition party, the centre-right Fidesz, says it will boycott parliament on Tuesday. |
Looting | Looting |
The BBC's Nick Thorpe, in central Budapest, says the trouble at the state television station began when a small group of protesters who had spent the day outside parliament tried to hand in a petition. | |
A clash with riot police ensued and the square rapidly filled with mainly young people, some waving Hungarian flags. | A clash with riot police ensued and the square rapidly filled with mainly young people, some waving Hungarian flags. |
"Nothing like this has happened since 1956," one young protester told Reuters news agency, referring to Hungary's failed uprising against Soviet rule in October 1956. | |
The street is not a solution, but instead causes conflict and crisis Ferenc Gyurcsany | The street is not a solution, but instead causes conflict and crisis Ferenc Gyurcsany |
Balazs Bende, a news editor who was forced to leave the building, said the crowd inside were looting everything. "They have taken our computers and all the technical devices they can," he said. | |
Mr Gyurcsany has told the state news service that he has no plans to resign. | Mr Gyurcsany has told the state news service that he has no plans to resign. |
"The street is not a solution, but instead causes conflict and crisis," he said early on Tuesday, adding: "Our job is to resolve the conflict and prevent a crisis." | "The street is not a solution, but instead causes conflict and crisis," he said early on Tuesday, adding: "Our job is to resolve the conflict and prevent a crisis." |
Smaller protests were also held in other cities around Hungary. | Smaller protests were also held in other cities around Hungary. |
Leaked tape | Leaked tape |
Mr Gyurcsany's comments were heard in a tape of a meeting he had with his MPs a few weeks after April's election. | Mr Gyurcsany's comments were heard in a tape of a meeting he had with his MPs a few weeks after April's election. |
It is not clear how the tape was leaked. | It is not clear how the tape was leaked. |
In excerpts broadcast on state radio, Mr Gyurcsany says harsh economic reforms are needed. | In excerpts broadcast on state radio, Mr Gyurcsany says harsh economic reforms are needed. |
He thanks "divine providence, the abundance of cash in the world economy and hundreds of tricks" for keeping the economy above board. | He thanks "divine providence, the abundance of cash in the world economy and hundreds of tricks" for keeping the economy above board. |
In a speech sprinkled with obscenities, Mr Gyurcsany says: "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening." | In a speech sprinkled with obscenities, Mr Gyurcsany says: "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening." |
The prime minister has received the backing of Socialist MPs who on Monday voted unanimously to support him. | |
However, Hungary's President, Laszlo Solyom, said Mr Gyurcsany had created a "moral crisis", and opposition parties have called for his resignation. | However, Hungary's President, Laszlo Solyom, said Mr Gyurcsany had created a "moral crisis", and opposition parties have called for his resignation. |
Matyas Oersi, an MP with the Free Democrat Party - the junior coalition partner in the government - told the BBC: "It's a surprise - though understandable - that the people are angry at a political leader who, for the first time, is telling the truth: that the whole political class was lying." | |
Local elections are scheduled in two weeks' time. The Socialists and their liberal coalition allies are trailing Fidesz in the polls. |