Hungary govt firm after riots, PM blames opposition

BUDAPEST, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Hungary's government pledged on Tuesday to stand by embattled Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany who blamed the opposition for riots that marred the 50th anniversary of the country's anti-Soviet uprising.

Gyurcsany and his coalition of Socialists and Free Democrats have come under attack since the leak last month of a tape in which the prime minister admitted lying about the parlous state of the economy to win a national election in April.

Anti-government protesters have staged daily demonstrations outside parliament demanding Gyurcsany step down amid the worst violence in Hungary since the fall of communism.

"Radical words have turned into radical actions. The leader of the opposition provided the ideology for the riots," Gyurcsany told parliament after receiving support from the coalition for budget deficit cuts.