Teachers' Strike and Demonstrations in Hungary

Thousands of people gathered on Kossuth Square in front of the building of Hungarian Parliament to demonstrate and show solidarity with the striking teachers. Participants demanded that the government improve education conditions, higher wages for teachers and the reinstatement of teachers who had been sacked for civil disobedience after the government changed the strike rules.

Early this morning, a national teachers' strike was launched by the Democratic Union of Teachers (PDSZ). Teachers are demanding higher wages, a reduction in their workload and the reinstatement of the strike law.

In the morning, there was a live demonstration in Budapest, joined by thousands of people. The line stretched for several kilometers.

Schools from the countryside and Budapest, state, church and foundation schools joined the national demonstration with various actions. Teachers from small villages to the capital protested with a walkout over problems in public education. In the afternoon, a crowd of thousands of students blocked the Margaret Bridge in Budapest.

The atmosphere was peaceful at the demonstration in Kossuth Square, which included concerts. Artists spoke in support of teachers dismissed for civil disobedience.