The opposition Együtt party said at the weekend that the government was trying to block its demonstration called for next Thursday, when Vladimir Putin will pay a visit to Budapest.

Együtt wants to hold a demonstration in front of Parliament when Putin meets Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, party leader Viktor Szigetvári told a press conference. Együtt believes the “Orbán-Putin alliance” is against Hungary’s national interests,

The government, interior ministry and counter-terrorism TEK force are taking steps to prevent the protest by blocking the party’s attempts to coordinate with the police, he insisted, calling on the government not to stop the party from exercising its right to peaceful assembly.

Fidesz parliamentary group spokesman János Halász told a news conference today in connection with Együtt’s statement that “democratic rights should not be abused”.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

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