(CNN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday showed no signs of heeding US and European Union warnings to rein in his "illiberal state," instead introducing new laws that critics say will tighten his grip on power.

Hundreds of protesters marched through Budapest and gathered at the parliament building late into Wednesday night, after Orban's hardline Fidesz party pushed through legislation allowing employers to ask their workers to take on up to 400 hours' overtime per year.

Critics have dubbed it the "slave law." The government told CNN that the "voluntary changes to working hours" were "in the interest of the workers" and would allow people to work and earn more.

1000 maybe 2000 young angry protesters at parliament, tense, note similar standoffs in recent years have all ended w police restraint & protesters eventually give up, let's see pic.twitter.com/DG7gIlnP75 — Peter Murphy (@MurphyPeterN) December 12, 2018

Orban's right-wing party, which holds a parliamentary majority, also pushed through another controversial law Wednesday that will create new courts, overseen by the justice minister, to handle cases concerning "government business," such as tax and elections, Reuters reported.

The government told CNN that the new courts, which are set to begin operating next year, will be independent and "in line with current European approaches and standards."

Read More