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Politics

Hungarians Block Danube Bridge to Protest Tax Legislation

  • Rapid adoption of tax law sparks spontaneous, peaceful protest
  • Premier Orban under pressure to speed up fiscal consolidation
Demonstrators block the Margit Bridge, to protest against the government's proposed amendment to taxation legislation in Budapest on July 12.

Demonstrators block the Margit Bridge, to protest against the government's proposed amendment to taxation legislation in Budapest on July 12.

Photographer: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

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Demonstrators blocked a bridge over the Danube river in Budapest to protest new legislation that is likely to result in a tax hike for potentially hundreds of thousands of Hungarians.

Hundreds blocked the central Margit bridge in the capital on Tuesday as news emerged that Prime Minister Viktor Orban planned to push through parliament a bill restricting access to a popular form of tax regime, which allows for payment of a monthly flat fee of 50,000 forint ($123) after income.