Budapest
Demonstrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian anti-Soviet uprising turned violent this week. Anti-government protesters have been camped out in central Budapest since mid-September, when Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany was heard admitting on a leaked tape that his government had lied about the economy to win re-election. During the anniversary celebrations, some protesters threw rocks at police, who responded with rubber bullets, batons, and water cannons. Opposition leaders said the police beat women and old people as well as the young rock-throwers. The 1956 Hungarian uprising was a failed attempt to throw off communist rule; some 2,600 Hungarians were killed when Soviet tanks fired on crowds.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.