Hungary Summons US Ambassador After McCain's 'Neo-Fascist Dictator' Remark

Budapest has summoned the American ambassador to protest against John McCain's offensive remarks about the country's Prime Minister. The US Senator called Viktor Orban a "neo-fascist dictator".

MOSCOW, December 3 (Sputnik) — Budapest has summoned the US ambassador to Hungary after US Senator John McCain called Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban a "neo-fascist dictator" who seeks to increase ties with Russia, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

"Hungary's foreign ministry has summoned United States charge d'affaires Andre Goodriend over critical comments made by American senator John McCain on Tuesday," the statement read.

McCain made the remark as Colleen Bell, a former soap opera producer, was elected on Tuesday by the US Senate to represent the United States in Hungary. McCain said that Bell did not have the right qualifications to be an ambassador in a country "that's on the verge of seceded its sovereignty to a neo-fascist dictator" and seeking closer ties with Russia, according to CNN.

Reports in the United States said that Bell's nomination to the position of ambassador to Hungary may have been linked with Bell's assistance in raising millions of dollars for Obama's re-election campaign. However, White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest denies the claims.