Hundreds of people have protested against Hungary'sSocialist prime minister at the start of ceremonies to mark the country'snational holiday, demanding his resignation and shouting "traitor".

The protests mark a renewal of a campaign to get rid ofFerenc Gyurcsany whose admission in a leaked tape that he had lied about thestate of the budget to win the 2006 election triggered seven weeks of violentdemonstrations last year.

A crowd of around 300 people shouted "Go, Gyurcsany,go" and "communist pig" during a ceremony outside parliament,the building which was the focus of violent protests last year in which 800 demonstratorsand police were injured.

Police and the government have said that they are prepared for trouble, but donot expect a repeat of last year's widespread clashes. Political analysts saythe government is safe.

Far-right groups say that they will attempt to join a rallyby the main parliamentary opposition party in the afternoon which is expectedto attract tens of thousands of people.

While police are preparing for a repeat of last year'sviolent protests, which lasted almost two months and in which 800 police anddemonstrators were injured, the government believes it has isolated thehard-core demonstrators.

Source:Agencies