Hungarian Science Academy employees stage protest against reorganisation

Employees of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) on Tuesday staged a demonstration at the Academy’s building on Budapest’s Szechenyi Square to take a stand for the Academy’s unity and autonomy, and protest against government plans to reorganise its structure and funding.

The demonstration was timed to coincide with MTA’s board meeting scheduled to decide on the academy’s approach to the government’s plans, Emese Szilágyi, of the organiser Forum of Academic Employees (ADF), told MTI.

Adrienn Szilágyi, an employee of MTA’s Institute of History, said that the innovation and technology ministry’s plan to fund the academy fully from tenders is “actually an austerity measure … that will thwart the operation of the Academy and lead to its collapse”.

“We understand that reforms are necessary but not without the consent of MTA employees and not to their detriment,” she said.

The ADF aims to preserve the Academy’s professional and financial independence, she said.