Hungary's Orban hits out at EU during anti-Soviet uprising commemoration speech
Hungary's national flag was hoisted with military honours in front of the parliament building in Budapest on Sunday in a state commemoration marking the anniversary of the 1956 anti-Soviet revolt.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban addressed crowds in Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary at the inauguration ceremony of a new visitors' centre dedicated to the late Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty.
Mindszenty was a Catholic clergyman who fiercely opposed totalitarianism in Hungary during the 20th century.
After being imprisoned by Hungary's fascist Arrow Cross Party during World War II, Mindszenty was tortured and given a life sentence in front of a kangaroo court by the communist authorities in 1949, sparking worldwide criticism that culminated in a United Nations resolution.
In his speech, Orban, a right-wing populist, lauded the nationwide resistance efforts -- but didn't pass up the opportunity to hit out at those on the left, who he said resented the fact that commemorations were taking place outside the capital.
“1956 was a revolution not of a city, but of an entire country, of the whole nation”, Orban said.
"In the opinion of the left, which looks down on us people living in the countryside, it is not correct to celebrate in Zalaegerszeg ... they do not understand that Budapest is not identical with the country", he added.
Orban also used the speech to take a swipe at the EU amidst its attempts to counter the Hungarian government's illiberal backsliding.
Brussels is mulling over whether to suspend €7.5 billion in EU funds over increasing concerns regarding Budapest's rule-of-law record.
“Let’s not bother with those who shoot at Hungary from the shadows or from the heights of Brussels. They will end up where their predecessors did,” Orban
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