Citing unnamed sources, Népszabadság reported that some politicians of ruling party Fidesz believe that the Supreme Court will reject a referendum initiated by “Mrs. Erdősi”, who is said to be the wife of a former Fidesz mayor, and who is in support of the law. Although it is not yet clear whether the Socialist referendum initiated against the law would be accepted, Népszabadság reported that the governmentʼs stepping back from the law would hurt ruling Fidesz less than a victorious referendum by opposition Socialists.

The steps taken by the government would serve the interests of small Hungarian retailers, given that large retailers have been able to compensate for the loss of Sunday traffic by extending opening hours on other days of the week, while smaller Hungarian retailers have been unable to make up for the losses.

Hungary’s Supreme Court ruled on March 7 that Socialist MP István Nyakó was obstructed by heavy-set bald men on February 23 when he attempted to submit a proposal for a referendum to kill the Sunday closings law. A week earlier the National Election Committee (NVB) also acknowledged that Nyakóʼs rights were infringed when thugs physically prevented him from applying to hold a referendum against the Sunday closings law, apparently assisting “Mrs. Erdősi”, his referendum was still rejected while Erdősiʼs competing question was accepted.

By Christian Keszthelyi

Source: BBJ.hu

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