Since the 2 ^nd January, thousands of Hungarians have mobilised in many demonstrations against the coming into effect of the “Orban Constitution” and demonstrations are continuing to be organised against this retrograde and undemocratic law.

The situation is, indeed, very worrying. The Hungarian government is pushing its authoritarian slide even so far as to remove the very word “Republic” from the official name of the country. Workers' rights are threatened; all is done to prevent trade unions' and left organisations' actions. The signature of the extreme-right “Jobbik” party is defacing the fundamental law of this country, restricting women’s rights to control their own bodies, discriminating against all forms of cohabitation that do not conform to the traditional standards of family life and opening the door to fresh waves of race discrimination.

Hungary now combines antidemocratic practices, ultraconservative policies and a disastrous economic and social situation. This is how Orban can say at the same time « EU get out! » and « We need money from the IMF ». The government could say anything about the greatness of Hungary in its speeches; its policies are still austerity plans and increases of taxes on low incomes. In fact, he applies the policies imposed by the « troika » everywhere in Europe. This is how populism is: dangerous for the peoples.

The Party of the European Left reaffirms its unshakable support for the Hungarian democratic forces in their struggle to defend political and social rights. It will continue to support the struggles in Hungary alongside the 2006 Workers’ Party of Hungary and with the Green Left.

All around Europe, together we defend democracy against all populists and extreme right attacks!

T ogether, we defend freedom and peoples' rights!

Together, we fight against austerity and markets dictatorship!

Party of European Left

Berlin, 14 January 2012