Tomio Okamura, leader of Czech opposition Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), givies a speech during a rally at the Wenceslas Square in Prague, Czech Republic, April 25, 2019. The SPD party on Thursday held a rally to formally launch the EU election campaign at the Wenceslas Square in Prague. The event brought European far-right politicians, hundreds of supporters, as well as opponents. (Xinhua/Dana Kesnerova)
PRAGUE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Czech opposition Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party on Thursday held a rally to formally launch the EU election campaign at the Wenceslas Square in Prague.
The event brought European far-right politicians, hundreds of supporters, as well as opponents.
Citing migration and Islam major threats to Europe, Tomio Okamura, leader of the SPD, also called on efforts to restrict EU powers and enhance the role of national states.
French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders, also went on stage to show their support to the SPD. Italian Interior Minister and Northern League head Matteo Salvini sent a video message to Prague.
Le Pen said the EU is to blame for flooding Europe with migrants who threaten to destroy the European nations.
Wilders, meanwhile, called the EU an undemocratic superstate that has been attempting "to erase our nation states."
Their speeches were disrupted by protesters.
Carrying banners saying "We want to live in the EU, even with you", more than a hundred of opponents gathered in the lower part of the square. With whistles and cymbals, they tried to howl down the SPD demonstration.
Heavily-armed policemen tried to separate the opponents from the supporters, and skirmishes were reported.
