Orban Weathers Labor Protests in Hungary With Turnout Dwindling

  • ‘Illiberal’ standard-bearer sits out opposition to labor law
  • Unions threatening first general strike since end of communism
Anti-government demonstrations in the Hungarian capital on Jan. 19.Photographer: Laszlo Balogh/Getty Images
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Viktor Orban is counting on Hungary’s latest protests against his “illiberal” government to fizzle, just like others before them.

Only a few thousand people turned out in Budapest over the weekend for a call by labor unions to bring down a law to extend working hours. After more than a month of protests that galvanized opponents of the prime minister and triggered demands for an end to his rule, the turnout suggests Orban is weathering the challenge.