On January 2nd Fidesz took a little break and celebrated itself and its new Fundamental Laws at the Budapest Opera. After slightly over a week without a demonstration, the opposition, too, gathered for the occasion, though in a less celebratory mood than the official guests. For the first time, the entire left-wing opposition assembled to protest the new constitution, though in addition to the new constitution topics ranged from the plethora of key laws passed before new year all the way to the alarming economic developments and the spectre of state default. The protests revealed both good news and bad news for Fidesz. The early rapprochement of its antagonists might make it easier for the governing party to conflate new political actors with the widely distrusted established players. At the same time, the January 2nd rally was also a sign that Fidesz can and has gone far enough to trigger unity where it was hardly conceivable a few months ago.  

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