Dutch ambassador in Hungary under fire over interview

The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is furious at Dutch ambassador Gajus Scheltema over critical statements he made about the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban in an interview, RTL Nieuws reports.

Scheltema agreed to give an interview to Hungarian magazine 168 Ora in honor of his farewell as ambassador. In the interview he compered the way in which the Hungarian government creates enemies, to the way extremists do so.

According to Hungarian Minister Péter Szijjártó, Scheltema crossed the line with that statement. He is pleased that the Dutch ambassador is returning home, according to RTL. Scheltema is no longer welcome in Hungary, the local media reports.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs hasn't responded yet.