On Monday evening, civil protestors formed a human chain around Parliament demanding that Hungary join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the restoration of the previous constitution and election law as well as an independent public media. 

BRFK said in a statement it had escorted the protestors out over personnel and facility security regulations, adding that it will close off Kossuth Square for cleanup and explosive detection work.

The commander of the Parliamentary Guard earlier ordered Kossuth Square to be closed off from 6pm on Monday to 2pm on Tuesday.
In its reasoning it said parts of the programme concerning the new parliament’s inaugural session would take place outdoors. 

Those events are to be attended by the newly-elected MPs as well as several protected persons. 

Meanwhile, radical nationalist Jobbik said it was “sneaky” of the state to have closed off Kossuth Square with the use of manpower, adding, at the same time, that the party considered it a small victory that Parliament had not been cordoned off. 

Jobbik spokesman Ádám Mirkóczki told reporters that the people should also be allowed to express their opinion when they are criticising someone, and not just when they are celebrating someone. He said ruling Fidesz was trying to bar the people from criticising it. 

Jobbik, on the other hand, believes Hungary should remain a free country in which anyone can express their opinion irrespective of political affiliation.

Asked if Jobbik would participate in a demonstration planned for Tuesday afternoon, Mirkoczki said Jobbik’s MPs are free to attend if they so choose, but none of them will speak at the event, he added.

MTI photo: Mohai Balázs