Hungary's governing party says it supports a plan to make nearly all shops stay closed on Sundays.

Antal Rogan, a leader of the Fidesz party, said Monday Fidesz backed a bill presented by the Christian Democrats, a small ally, because it wants to prevent employees from having to work on Sundays. Stores owned and operated by families would be allowed to stay open and there would be exceptions, for example, during the Christmas shopping season.

The scheme would also allow smaller food stores to skirt the ban, a move seen hurting the large, mostly-foreign owned supermarket chains. Economy Minister Mihaly Varga said earlier he opposed the plan, as one of every five Hungarians does their shopping on Sundays.

Supermarkets say 15,000-20,000 jobs could be lost if the measure is approved.