TMCnet News
Thousands March In Hungary Over Internet Tax(Sky News (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) More than 10,000 people have marched on Hungary's economy ministry over plans to impose a tax on internet usage. The crowd held up smartphone torches outside the building in Budapest - echoing democracy protests in Hong Kong - while chanting and waving signs. Organiser Balazs Gulyas told the crowd: "There will be no internet tax. We will block it. "If the tax is not scrapped within 48 hours, we will be back again." Economy minister Mihaly Varga announced the tax of 150 forints (38 pence) for every gigabyte of traffic handled by internet service providers last week. But it was met by online outrage, with petitions gathering thousands of signatures. The crowd chanted "Orban get lost!" as is marched down the main boulevard of the capital after the rally. Mr Orban, 51, was re-elected with a second consecutive two-thirds majority in April. However he has been under pressure in recent days after the United States issued entry bans on several government officials over suspected corruption. (c) Sky News 2014 |