Anti-govt protesters invade city center of Budapest for 3rd night in a row

The anti-government protests in Budapest have entered into the third day Friday, which ended with 51 people arrested and 14 policemen injuried, according to official figures,

Surrounded by numerous police officers, a few thousand people listened to speeches by opposition leaders in front of the parliament, and began a march in the center of the Hungarian capital Friday.

The call for the demonstration was the adoption by the Hungarian Parliament on Wednesday of two controversial laws, one on the labor law, increasing overtime of workers from 300 to 400 hours on a yearly basis, and one on the creation of a new administrative judicial system, which would hinder independence of the Hungarian judiciary.

The protesters complained about low wages, corruption of government members and biased public media.

At the end of the demonstrations, a hard core of a thousand people tried to invade the stairs of the parliament, colliding with the police, who, after being thrown stones, bottles, and other objects, responded with tear gas.

The protesters, mostly young and liberal, have also marched around downtown Budapest, blocking access to various bridges in the Hungarian capital.

Some of them, wearing masks and football sweaters, have tried to set fire to the massive Christmas tree erected in front of the Parliament's building.

On Sunday, trade unions will participate in a major demonstration, which has already received the support of all the opposition parties.