Hungarian far-right hold anti-EU protest

[pampango]

Thousands protested in Budapest on Saturday at a rally of the far-right Jobbik party, calling for Hungary's retreat from the EU. "This week the EU declared war on Hungary in a very harsh and open way," Csanad Szegedi, a Jobbik MEP told protesters. Jobbik MPs reportedly burnt an EU flag.

http://euobserver.com/1016/114890

Thousands Protest in Hungary Against ‘Foreign Involvement’ in Country’s Affairs

Saturday saw thousands of right-wing and government sympathizers take to the streets to object to what they see as foreign criticism of Viktor Orban’s cabinet and the involvement of other countries in Hungary’s domestic politics.

The Elolanc, or ‘living chain’, event presented a petition condemning major rating firms—which have recently downgraded Hungary credit rating to junk status—and the United States for criticism of human liberties in Hungary, as well as the International Monetary Fund for making demands from the government in return for financial backing.

At another rally held by the radical Jobbik group, the tone was more heated. The group’s chairman, Gabor Vona, called on the government to leave the European Union, a proposal he said Jobbik will put up for a referendum.

“If (European Commission President Jose Manuel) Barroso sets foot in here we will chase him out with a whip,” Mr. Vona said. Party members then went on to set the EU flag on fire.

http://blogs.wsj.com/emergingeurope/2012/01/16/thousands-protest-in-hungary-against-%E2%80%98foreign-involvement%E2%80%99-in-country%E2%80%99s-affairs/?mod=google_news_blog