Covid-19: democracy put to the test

Hungarian President Viktor Orban. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

By: Juliette Rengeval

On the grounds of combating the coronavirus epidemic, certain governments are tempted by authoritarianism and fundamental freedoms are put to the test.

Publicity

In Poland , the ruling nationalist right-wing party, Law and Justice, seems ready to do anything to maintain the date of the presidential election. The first round should take place in less than 6 weeks, May 10, 2020, as scheduled.

It must be said that since the beginning of the epidemic, and the first health measures taken in the country, the polls are extremely favorable to the current president. Andrzej Duda , PiS member, would largely prevail in the first round. So calls for postponement remain unanswered for the moment. Thomas Giraudeau .

In Viktor Orban's Hungary , the virus sweeps away democracy. A law, passed by the majority right of the Prime Minister, extends indefinitely the state of health emergency decreed on March 11, 2020. Viktor Orban is suspected of wanting to govern without any control. We talk about it with Florence La Bruyère in Budapest.

In Russia , the coronavirus disrupts the strategy of the Kremlin which must for the moment give up reforming the Constitution, but the epidemic could comfort Vladimir Putin as a figure of stability. Explanations by Etienne Bouche in Moscow.

In Ireland , the big winner of the last legislative elections, Sinn Féin did not govern during the crisis. Emeline Vin.

A face in the fight against the pandemic
The inventor of the hydroalcoholic gel is a doctor from Geneva, Doctor Didier Pittet. He refused to patent his invention, which dates from the 90s, for the common good. His portrait, signed Jérémie Lanche, in Switzerland.

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  • Coronavirus
  • Poland
  • Hungary
  • Russia
  • Ireland
  • Swiss

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