The next dispute with Brussels has started: with the new law to protect sovereignty, the Hungarian government wants to prevent “foreign interference” in the country’s political processes. But the European Commission fears that the new law and a new authority will violate freedom of expression and other fundamental European rights. Despite the fact that EU procedures have already been initiated, Budapest wants to comply with the law.
The eloquent response from the office of the Minister of International Communications was not long in coming: “Brussels and the left of the dollar are attacking the Sovereignty Protection Act precisely because its aim is to limit foreign influence on that of the US philanthropist George ) Soros’ rolling dollar” 98 percent of Hungarians agreed to this plan in a “national consultation,” “and that is why the Hungarian government is sticking with the Sovereignty Protection Act.”
The “consultation” Zoltán Kovács referred to is not a professional investigation, but one of the government’s many questionnaire campaigns, in which government supporters usually approve of government policies.
Brussels is now waiting for an answer from Budapest
The new authority, enshrined in the constitution, is tasked with “identifying and investigating organizations that receive funding from abroad and aim to influence the will of voters.” According to the Commission, the law protecting sovereignty and the authority established at the end of January restrict, among other things, “the right to the protection of personal data, freedom of expression and information, freedom of association and the right to vote.” of EU citizens,” said a statement from Brussels on Wednesday. The government in Budapest initially has two months to respond to and refute the allegations.
In the most extreme case, Hungary faces a lawsuit at the European Court of Justice and possible fines. If convicted, the country could face a fine if it continues to comply with the law. Due to various violations of fundamental rights, such as asylum law, around €20 billion in EU aid to Hungary is currently frozen.
The Greens: “Systematic erosion of the rule of law”
Monika Vana, head of the Austrian Greens delegation to the European Parliament, welcomed the so-called Article 7 procedure against Hungary but criticized it as coming “very late”. “For years, Viktor Orbán has continued to systematically undermine the rule of law, silence civil society and opposition members through recent legislative changes, and undermine the rights of minorities,” Vana said in a statement to the APA.
FPÖ: “Absurd procedure against Hungary”
Harald Vilimsky, head of the liberal delegation in the European Parliament, described the procedure as “absurd”. The EU itself is planning a law that will combat foreign influence in the Union. “Why the same thing in Hungary would now violate freedom of expression is no longer clear to anyone. Or you can also look at it the other way around: if this violates freedom of expression in Hungary, then of course the same applies to the EU,” Vilimsky said in a press release.
Source: Krone
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