People opposing the policies of Hungary's leader protest in Budapest

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Thousands of Hungarians have held a rally in Budapest to protest the policies of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The demonstrators waved large red socialist flags and banners calling for Orban to represent the interests of the public in his policies.

"I think it is important for people to demonstrate," rally organizer and activist Zsolt Varady said in a speech from a stage set up outside the Opera House for the protest. "The politicians have gone far away from reality. They don't seem to represent the public's views."

Rallies against Orban's government have been held regularly over the past two months, sparked by a failed government attempt to tax Internet use, the prime minister's increasingly close economic ties with Russia, and suspected corruption among top officials.