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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Photo: Stephanie Lecocq / EPA
The EU Commission is once again accusing Hungary of violating European law with a law and is therefore initiating proceedings. The Brussels authority announced on Wednesday that the law recently passed in Budapest to defend national sovereignty violates, among other things, the principles of democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of association. She therefore asked Hungary for a statement and thus initiated so-called infringement proceedings.
The law passed in December created a new “Office for the Protection of Sovereignty” to monitor possible threats to Hungary from abroad. The existing ban on party financing from abroad has been extended to include clubs and other organizations. Those responsible for these organizations who attempt to conceal financial sources from abroad also face three years in prison.
Hungary now has to respond to the allegations within two months. If the country cannot refute it, the EU Commission can take legal action against Hungary before the European Court of Justice. If convicted, the country would then face a fine if it continued to adhere to the law.
Civil society organizations warned against the law
It is not the first time that the EU Commission, which is responsible for compliance with EU law, has initiated proceedings against the country due to concerns about the state of the rule of law. In December, however, it also released ten billion euros in frozen funds for Hungary on the grounds that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had implemented the necessary reforms.
Before the law was passed, civil society organizations warned in a statement that the plans for an "Office to Protect Sovereignty" were part of the government's strategy to suppress dissent.
"The bill is part of the government's attempt to silence all critical voices," they wrote.
The groups, which include anti-corruption organization Transparency International Hungary and the Hungarian Union for Civil Rights, added that the proposed legislation violates Hungary's constitutional and EU obligations.
aka/dpa/Reuters