Ildikó Lendvai, an opposition Socialist lawmaker, told demonstrators that the foundations of the monument had already been laid despite protests. With this action the government is trying to show that its power is cemented and it is “free to do anything,” she said.

Gábor Popper, a spokesman for the Liberal Party, insisted the monument symbolised fear, and people would again have to fear due to their ethnic origins or sexual orientation. Protests against the monument have been held at the square in central Budapest for the past ten days, and demonstrators have repeatedly dismantled the barrier built round the construction site.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

Follow that link to sign-up for MTI’s twice-daily newsletter.

Source of photo: ORIGO