Hunger Strike Against Election System Reform

Ex-Prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany declared to go on a hunger strike as an act of protest against the government’s plans to reform the election system. In a press release Gyurcsany explains that strong statements such as this one are need from the opposition parties, as the messages articulated in traditional ways can not find their way through the pro-government bias of the mainstream media and the indifference and apathy of the Hungarian people.

Gyurcsany and the other opponents of the draft law argue that the real purpose of the new system is to suppress voter turnout in the upcoming parliamentary election in 2014 in favor of the current ruling party: according to the draft, voters would have to officially register with the authorities long before the actual elections in order to be able to cast a valid vote – an act which is being argued to be unconstitutional. At the same time FIDESZ (Hungarian Civic Union) argues that the new reforms will streamline registration of Hungarians living abroad and members of national minorities within Hungary and there is nothing unconstitutional about the draft.

Three other politicians from the opposition party Democratic Coalition (DK) joined Gyurcsany in the strike, whih takes place in front of the Parliament. The self-proclaimed reason of the DK politicians for not trying to express their views in the parliament is that the national conservative governing party is not considering the points of the opposition. They rely solely on their two thirds majority, which makes consulting with the opposition parties unnecessary. The broader reasons that lead to the hunger strike include “destroying the education and healthcare system, humiliation of workers, hollowing out cultural life and arts, the suicidal struggle against investors, shrinking wages, and growing inflation”.

Taking the Metro from the dormitory to Kossuth tér will not only let you take a glance at the protesters, but it also rewards you with the view of the parliament and a more pleasant walk to the CEU campus. The strike will end with a rally at the same venue on the 15^th of September.