Opposition slams Rogan for suggesting protestors should reveal sources of funding

Budapest (MTI) – Opposition parties on Sunday protested remarks a day earlier by Antal Rogan, the parliamentary group leader of governing Fidesz, that the organisers of anti-government protests should reveal the source of their funding, just as parliamentary parties do.

Viktor Szigetvari, co-head of opposition Egyutt (Together), called on the leaders of the governing alliance to “stop the harassment of civil groups and the threatening of democrats and their supporters”. Although Rogan’s remarks would suggest the politician is “off his meds”, Szigetvari said the comments were really part of a script involving the establishment of Viktor Orban’s illiberal state, the “Putinisation” of the country, the soiling of the reputations of civil groups who stand up for freedom and the intimidation of Hungarian citizens.

In a statement sent to MTI on Sunday, the Liberals said the country protection plan was a pretence and really aimed to defend the government and harass people who take to the streets to protest Fidesz’s policies. The party said the comments were surprising considering “this same Antal Rogan…cannot account for his own accumulation of wealth”. It appears the government has no more means but intimidation and pressure through state organs and offices, the Liberals said.

Lajos Olah of the Democratic Coalition said in a statement that the government should not blame the citizens for their dissatisfaction but for its own corrupt nature. He added that the organisers of the Peace March, “who enjoy government support”, owe an explanation rather than civil groups protesting now.

In a statement issued late Sunday, Fidesz noted that Szigetvari had promised for two years to make public the names of his supporters. “It’s about time to do so,” the governing party said.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters