Thousands of Hungarians protested against the nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Sunday, in a rally organized a few weeks before the European Parliament and local elections at the beginning of June, reports Reuters.
Peter Magyar (pictured below), a former member of the government seen by some observers as the first serious threat to Orban in years, organized the rally attended by about 10,000 people in the eastern city of Debrecen, a stronghold of the ruling Fidesz party.
Fidesz candidates have won the city since the late 1990s. In the last election, the ruling party won about 60% of the vote, while the opposition parties only won about a third of the vote.
Addressing his flag-waving supporters, Magyar took aim at one of Orban’s core policies, criticizing what he called the extremely low level of child support allowances in Hungary.
“If you tell this story anywhere in Europe, no one will believe you,” Magyar said.
Orban says that, among EU countries, Hungary spends the largest part of its economy on supporting families.
“We need a completely new system in which social support is really directed based on social needs,” Magyar said, reports Agerpres.
He said Hungary was run by what he called a well-connected elite, which he would try to eliminate if elected.
International observers claim that Orban directed European Union funds to businessmen close to Fidesz in order to stay in power. Orban says that Hungary is no more corrupt than other countries.
The control body in charge of overseeing EU funds states that it does not have the necessary authority to denounce possible violations and has requested additional powers.
Tags: Thousands people protest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban demonstration organized Peter Magyar member government considered real threat Hungarian leader
