Clown Revolution Engulfs Budapest

As many as 10,000 people took to the streets of Budapest on 16th June in protest against a raft of new cuts by the government. A large proportion of the marchers were dressed as clowns participants hailed the demonstration as a Clown Revolution.

Amongst the most unpopular government moves is the decision to cut early retirement benefits. Policemen, firemen and soldiers are amongst those who feel aggrieved.

Owing to low payment for many public sector workers, compensation was approved in the 1990s by the more left-wing leaning government in the form of early retirement benefits. Now, a notably conservative government has pulled the rug from beneath the feet of many citizens.

The government will no longer pay benefits to those who retire before the national retirement norm of 65. Until now, policemen and soldiers could hang up their helmets at 45.

Whether the Clown Revolution develops into a lasting form of protest remains to be seen. Over in Poland, which is taking over the baton of Presidency of the EU Council next month, the government has sponsored an exhibition recalling the so-called Gnome Revolution of the late eighties, an anti-communist revolt that began in the city of Wroclaw, West Poland.