Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban kicked off his campaign Monday for next year's European parliamentary elections with criticism of the bloc's leaders, calling Brussels a "bad contemporary parody" that he said can still be fixed.
Distrust of Orban has been running high in Brussels after bitter run-ins during his 13 years in power over the rights of gay people and migrants in Hungary, as well as tightening state controls over NGOs, academics, the courts and media.
Hours after he spoke, thousands rallied in Hungary's capital Budapest, a liberal stronghold that has largely opposed Orban's agenda. Some voiced fears that Hungary might end up leaving the EU under his rule, a prospect Orban has repeatedly dismissed.