Thousands of people from Hungary protested on the streets of Budapest on Oct. 26. The protesters marched through the capital city and demanded that the new proposed tax on Internet be scrapped. They argued that the new bill would increase their tax burden and restrict their freedom of expression and information access.
The 2015 tax bill is proposed by the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The draft contains a provision that would require Internet providers to pay a tax of $0.62 (150 forints) for every gigabyte of data traffic. However, the bill would also allow companies to offset corporate income tax against the new tax imposition.
Standing in front of the Economy Ministry, the protesters chanted "Free Internet, Free Country!" From there, they walked 1.8 miles going to Heroes' Square, which is a major sight of the capital. They continued to chant, saying "Censorship, Censorship," "Europe, Europe," and "Democracy, Democracy." There was also an instance when they made reference to Prime Minister Viktor Orban when they chanted "Viktor, get lost! Viktor, get lost!"
Economy Minister Mihaly Varga said that the tax was needed in order to help shore up the country's 2015 budget. He added that the tax was fair since it would be a shift away from the phone lines and Internet.
Concerned citizens believe that the new tax bill will hurt small businesses and make it more difficult for people to access valuable information and materials needed for education.
"This is a backward idea, when most countries are making it easier for people to access the Internet," says Judit Nagy-Korsa who was one of the protesters.
Some demonstrators are saying that the new tax was an epitome of how the government is mistaken in formulating the country's economic policies.
"This would be a double tax on us, as I have already paid a sky-high VAT when I bought the gadgets, computer and router," said Attila Sos who went with his family to Sunday's protest rally.
At one point of the protest, the people held up their mobile phones and lit up the square in front of the Economy Ministry. There were also some who went to the nearby headquarters of the currently ruling Fidesz party where they threw old computer parts at the building and even broke some windows.
The organizers of the protest told the government that they have 48 hours to withdraw the tax legislation. If the government fails to do this, the protesters would march on the streets again on Oct. 28.
