Hungarian President Signs University Law Sparking Protests

  • Rallies continue after tens of thousands attend Sunday’s march
  • University bill part of Orban’s bid to end liberal democracy

People demonstrate in Budapest, on April 9, 2017.

Photographer: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Hungarian President Janos Ader signed into law a measure cracking down on foreign universities that is fueling one of the strongest series of protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, demanding he respect democratic norms.

Ader, a long-time Orban ally re-elected last month to a second term with support from the ruling party, signed the law amending the rules for foreign universities, his office said. In doing so, he rejected the options of sending it back to parliament for reconsideration or asking for a court assessment, as he saw no conflict with the constitution or international treaties.