Hungarians rally against Orban, appeal to Merkel

Thousands of people gathered on 1 February 2015 in Budapest to show their dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Victor Orban's right-wing government. Some of them asked it to respect its Western ties, while others appealed directly to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to 'save Hungary', one day ahead of her visit.

Mrs Merkel called on Mr Orbán to take a more open approach towards political opposition and civil society. But observers considered the move to be insufficient, accusing the German Chancellor of cronyism with a 'mafia state'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Hungary and the West: We need to talk about Viktor http://www.europeansources.info/record/hungary-and-the-west-we-need-to-talk-about-viktor/

ESO: Background information: Hungarian protests show growing opposition to Orbán http://www.europeansources.info/record/hungarian-protests-show-growing-opposition-to-orban/

EurActiv, 02.02.15: Hungarians rally to remind Orbán of Western allegiance http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/hungarians-rally-remind-government-western-allegiance-311711

Euronews, 01.02.15: Hungarians protest against PM’s pro-Russian policies http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/01/hungarians-protest-against-pm-s-pro-russian-policies/

Hungary Today, 30.01.15: PM Orbán: Hungary Interested In Germany’s Plan On Eurasian Economic Cooperation http://hungarytoday.hu/cikk/pm-orban-hungary-interested-germanys-plan-eurasian-cooperation-29977

Daily News Hungary, 02.02.15: Demonstrators in Budapest demand 'a European Hungary' http://dailynewshungary.com/demonstrators-in-budapest-demand-a-european-hungary/

Hungary Today, 02.02.15: Former Ambassador: Angela Merkel’s Visit Sends Very Important Signal http://hungarytoday.hu/cikk/former-ambassador-angela-merkels-visit-sends-important-signal-12412

BBC News, 02.02.15: Merkel faces tense talks in Hungary with PM Orban http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-eu-31090085

EurActiv, 03.02.15: Merkel urges Hungary’s Orbán to respect opposition http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/merkel-urges-hungarys-orban-respect-civil-society-media-311750

EUObserver, 03.02.15: Merkel clashes with Orban on meaning of 'democracy' https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/127468

Euronews, 02.02.15: Merkel travels to Hungary to make a stand for European democratic values http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/02/merkel-travels-to-hungary-to-make-a-stand-fro-european-democratic-values/

Deutsche Welle, 02.02.15: Hungary eyes closer ties with Russia http://dw.de/p/1EUXP

EurActiv, 05.02.15: Orbán: Good ties with Russia and Germany are essential http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/orban-good-ties-russia-and-germany-are-essential-311855

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