Hungarians jeer premier as 'Viktator'

One of thousands of demonstrators in Budapest holds up a sign declaring Hungary's new constitution to be undemocratic.

A huge crowd chanted and whistled outside the State Opera as prime minister Viktor Orban and guests celebrated inside. Many protesters called the premier the "Viktator."

"The prime minister took an oath to defend the constitution, but instead he overthrew it," said Laszlo Majtenyi, former head of Hungary's media authority.

Opposition activists and civil rights groups say Mr Orban and his centre-Right Fidesz party, which has a two-thirds parliamentary majority, have increased control over the judiciary, the central bank, religious groups and the media.

But the government says the constitution, which came into force on New Year's Day, "defines the family, order, the home, work and health as the most important, shared scale of values".