Key opposition rally planned for 16:00 Friday

Fidesz chairman Viktor Orbán yesterday exhorted the "advocates of democracy, liberty and forthrightness in Hungary" to attend today's rally in Kossuth tér at 4 p.m., regardless of party affiliation. He called on the Socialists to support him in today's vote, saying that if Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány remains in power, it will cost taxpayers thousands of billions of forints.

Speaking at a press conference, Orbán said the current situation cannot be stabilised, therefore all constitutional, democratic and parliamentary means must be utilised simultaneously in the interest of unseating the "fallen Prime Minister." Asserting that parliamentary and democratic rights must be asserted in unison, Orbán said Fidesz will do its work within Parliament while asking voters to avail themselves of their democratic licence.

He asked rallyers to bring along "demonstration packages" of national flags, candles and alarm clocks the latter symbolising the need for a "wake-up call."

Orbán has threatened to keep people in the streets until Gyurcsány is ousted, said he will relate in Kossuth tér this afternoon what further rallies will be held when and where. One Fidesz organiser told Népszabadság that they will only make up their mind in the last minute, "as we have a timetable, and a long one at that," adding that Orbán said October 23 is close at hand.

Democratic Forum caucus leader Károly Herényi said it is at variance with European practice that an MP uses crowds in the street to achieve his aims.

The above story is just one of more than two dozen published today by Hungary Around the Clock, the most comprehensive source of daily English-language news about Hungary. For a free trial of HATC, click here. Hungarian news sources include Népszabadság; Magyar Hírlap; Világgazdaság; Napi Gazdaság; Magyar Nemzet; Népszava; Kossuth Rádió news and Hungarian television's nightly news broadcast.

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