Hungary’s PM accuses EU of ‘colonialist behavior’

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban lashed at the EU on Thursday, labeling the union's behavior as ‘colonialist’ and accusing it of disrespecting his country’s sovereignty by meddling in its domestic affairs. Recently the EU criticized  legislation passed by Orban’s Fidesz Party that it said would limit democratic principles such as freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary and central bank. The EU also warned that it was close to taking action on Hungary for its excessive budget deficit. Speaking to a crowd of tens of thousands gathered at Kossuth Square outside the parliament building in Budapest, Orban advocated for his government's policies and called for fair treatment from the Brussels. His speech was met with cheers from the crowd. “We won’t be a colony,” Orban said. “Hungarians won’t live according to the commands of foreign powers, they won’t give up their independence or their freedom.” Orban, who came to power in the middle of 2010, has implemented a large number of political and economic measures that sparked criticism from the EU and international watchdogs. Observers say political control over the media, judiciary, churches and other ostensibly independent institutions has increased significantly.