Budapest (AFP) - A proposed Hungarian tax on internet usage has sparked new accusations of an anti-democratic crackdown in the EU member as tens of thousands are expected to march against the measure Sunday.
Economy Minister Mihaly Varga said Tuesday that the tax -- 150 forints (0.50 euros, $0.61) on each transferred gigabyte of data -- was needed to plug holes in the 2015 budget of one of the EU's most indebted nations.
He also said the tax was fair as it reflected a shift by consumers to the internet away from phone lines.
The idea has triggered alarm, including from Nellie Kroes, the EU's digital chief, who tweeted that the tax was "a shame for users and a shame for the Hungarian government".
Governing right-wing party Fidesz, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, later proposed capping monthly payment at 700 forints (2.3 euros, $3) for consumers and 5,000 forints for businesses, but the move has failed to calm anger.
Some 36,000 people have signed up to a protest organised on social media to be held outside the Economy Ministry Sunday to demand the tax be scrapped.
Organisers told AFP Saturday via email that the tax would restrict access to information, particularly in poor areas, could cripple small businesses, and would restrict government critics who mainly use online media.
"It is the latest anti-democratic crackdown by Orban, a direct attack on freedom of expression," organisers said.
The top US diplomat in Budapest warned Friday of "negative trends" such as weakening of the rule of law and intimidation of civil society have "rapidly taken hold" in Hungary, days after Washington issued entry bans on six government officials it suspects of corruption.
How is it anti-democratic, so when a country that isn't the US or EU raises taxes or fee it's anti-democratic? But it's OK for the US government, US states, US counties & cites to raise their taxes just so they can spend more on frivolous government or to give themselves raises. I don't see it, if Hungary wants to tax its people who are we to judge & how the US says it's anti-democratic because the US people are blinded by a corrupt government in all levels.
Have you looked at all the taxes the corrupt governments of the US impose? We are taxed multiple times for the same items, we pay an import tax, manufacture tax, transportation tax, tariffs, local tax, state tax, etc. & when you combine all of them we're over taxed, but it doesn't always show it, you might see the local tax or the state tax but you don't see the other taxes because all companies pay other taxes and just charge the customers that don't see the other taxes.
As for the Hungarian internet tax, have you looked at your current taxes imposes to have internet at your home? No because most people are sheep's going to slaughter.
Whoever proposed that tax should be fired from the cabinet. This is beyond idiotic on so many levels...Nice move Hungarian gov. embarrassing yourself like that. Want to plug budget hole? Abolish Soviet times rules for starting business or hiring with degenerate requirements for cashiers to attend government training and receive government certificates of training for waiters or cooks, and while you at it lower the VAT ,so that people can purchase more from the local small businesses. You insolent morons with Soviet brains.
In the US we pay a telecom tax of about 20% and most people don't even know it. If Hungary reduced the tax on home users and increased it for larger businesses to raise the same tax amount, then that should quiet the crowds somewhat. No one likes new taxes since they never reduce the old ones at the same time. A relatively small percent of Hungarian families own quite a large percentage of Hungarian assets (commercial buildings, bank stocks, etc.), but of course governments will never tax those and reduce the taxes paid by lower and middle income working people.
The internet is like a newspaper it's a voice that should be FREE and used for communication purposes and not be abused. Taxing the internet means it will be more controlled by the government. Free speech should be free with all citizens of the US. Isn't free speech a part of the constitution. Picking apart the constitution for the sake of more control of the government is like picking apart your free will.
Looks like Hungary is too smart to elect Obama.
What actually worries me is Uncle Snatcher might get the same idea!
The EU wants to tax the internet and doesn't like Hungry getting in the way. We also have negative trends is the USA: "weakening of the rule of law and intimidation of civil society ." Our courts have tossed out votes, nullified elections and imposed depravity on it citizens. We actually have it worse here.
I support Right-wing European governments in general; Europe needs to focus on the preservation of its native peoples; but an Internet tax is a bad idea. They should find the revenue elsewhere. Leave the Internet alone.
Dear GeorgeR what about 2/3 of people voting to the current leadership? Do you think the 1/3 opposition will take that nation to the heaven? Possibly you do not know what is democracy...
Taxation is the mark of the beast.