Hungarians protest new constitution

Thousands of Hungarian protesters have taken to the streets of the capital Budapest, denouncing the country's new constitution as anti-democratic. On Monday, nearly 100,000 people attended the demonstration, dubbed "There will be a Republic again," near the city's opera house, the event's organizers said. The demonstrators slashed out at Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying the premier had in April used his two-thirds parliamentary majority to pass the new constitution. Opposition figures say the new constitution, which came into effect on January 1, erodes individual liberties and media freedom while undermining the independence of the judiciary and other state institutions. “Viktor Orban and his servants turned Hungary from a promising place to the darkest spot in Europe," Socialist parliamentarian Tibor Szanyi said, calling on people to join in “sweeping out the Orban dictatorship.” Parliament has approved an election law that critics say will change the electoral system in favor of Fidesz. Last week, the lawmakers passed a legislation which, opponents say, limited the authority of central bank in rate-setting policies and curbed the power of Andras Simor, the head of the institution. The measure drew serious objections from the European Union, The new law is likely to jeopardize the country's talks with the International Monetary Fund about a new financing agreement, seen as crucial for Hungary to shore up market confidence.