Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called the Pride Parade held in Budapest on Saturday "disgusting and shameful," accusing the European Union of asking opposition politicians to handle the organization, which also turned into a protest against the government, local media reported on Sunday.
The march in Budapest has become one of the most powerful opposition voices against Orban in recent years, and it is believed that over 100,000 people defied police bans and threats of fines.
Speaking in a closed online group with his supporters, Orbán is quoted as saying that politicians guided by "Brussels" have urged voters to participate, according to local media outlet Index, Reuters news agency reports.
"Since yesterday we are even more certain that these people [opposition politicians] should not be allowed to lead the government. And we will not allow them," Orbán is quoted as telling his supporters.
He has not provided any evidence for the comments he made.
The event was organized by the Budapest municipality, led by Gergely Karacsony, whom the Orban government has accused over the years of being a "puppet" of Brussels.
The European Commission has not commented on Orban's statements.
Orbán told supporters that the march was "disgusting," specifically mentioning the moment when some men were wearing heels and holding signs on their hands about hormone therapy.
The march was banned on the grounds that the law passed in March prohibits Pride Parades because children must be protected from that lifestyle.
Orban's opponents see the ban as another move to crack down on democratic freedoms ahead of national elections next year.
Orban's party has dominated political life in Hungary for the past 15 years. /REL (A2 Televizion)
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