50

, " Coronavirus in Europe Poll of Polls Brussels Brexit Policy Newsletters "' ( ) * + Europe Edition

# Facebook

! Twitter

$ LinkedIn

% Email LATEST: Unions and NGOs call on big brands to stop using Xinjiang forced labor !

& Print

Belgium tightens Kanye quits Trump’s Poland improperly US State Department EU budget deal a ‘difficult Brexit negotiators will
restrictions amid fears of reality show rejected Chechen asylum insiders ask: What is pill to swallow,’ Ursula von miss July target for
a second coronavirus claims, European court Susan Pompeo really up der Leyen tells angry outline deal
wave rules to? MEPs

MOST READ ARTICLES

1 Mark Rutte is in danger of

repeating David Cameron’s
mistakes

2 POLITICO’s guide to the EU

budget deal
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, center | Zoltan Mathe/EPA

3 What EU leaders really decided

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán wins vote to rule by

on rule of law

4 Coronavirus: Doing as the

decree experts do

Under new law, people who spread what are viewed as untrue or 5 Europe’s country-by-country
travel restrictions explained
distorted facts now face several years in jail.
By LILI BAYER | 3/30/20, 4:19 PM CET | Updated 3/31/20, 3:12 PM CET

The Hungarian parliament on Monday voted by a two-thirds majority to allow the

government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to rule by decree without a set time
limit.

While the new legislation remains in place, no by-elections can be held and
Orbán's government will be able to suspend the enforcement of certain laws. Plus,
individuals who publicize what are viewed as untrue or distorted facts — and
which could interfere with the protection of the public, or could alarm or agitate a
large number of people — now face several years in jail.

In the vote, 137 members of parliament were in favor, 53 against and nine did not POLITICO NEWSLETTERS
cast a ballot. Hungarian President János Áder, an Orbán ally, quickly approved the
legislation. The new rules can only be lifted with another two-thirds vote of the Brussels Playbook
Florian Eder’s must-read
parliament and a presidential signature. briefing on what's driving the
day in Brussels.

The legislation has elicited deep concern both among civil rights groups in London Playbook
What's driving the day in
Hungary and international institutions, with officials from the Council of Europe, Westminster. Politics and
policymaking in the UK
United Nations and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe publicly capital.
POLITICO EU
expressing fears about the bill. The legislation also drew criticism from members Influence
A weekly newsletter on
of the European Parliament. campaigning, lobbying and
political influence in the EU.

Critics say that emergency measures to address the coronavirus crisis should be
temporary and time-limited to allow for checks and balances. Hungary is currently Sign up for other POLITICO newsletters

facing Article 7 proceedings under the EU Treaty, used when a country is

considered at risk of breaching the bloc's core values. RELATED CONTENT

“
"It's now essential that the idea that EU budget deal a ‘difficult pill to
swallow,’ Ursula von der Leyen tells
executive power cannot be unlimited is angry MEPs

reinforced by action" — Márta Pardavi, co-chair of the

Commission and Council presidents address
MEPs before crucial vote on landmark
package.

Hungarian Helsinki Committee New PM sees Ukrainians pushing for

EU way of life
"Civil society, journalists and international and European organizations will have On first trip abroad, Denys Shmyhal visits
Brussels to receive coronavirus assistance
to step up their efforts even more in this new situation to ensure that the potential loan.
for grave abuses by government overreach are monitored, documented and
responded to," Márta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a Pandemic has shown EU how to tackle
human rights NGO, said following the passage of the bill. homelessness, say NGOs
The bloc can’t return to pre-pandemic levels
of homelessness, report warns.
"It's now essential that the idea that executive power cannot be unlimited is
reinforced by action," she said. "The health crisis cannot be allowed to turn into a Boris Johnson heads to Scotland amid
constitutional crisis." rising support for independence
Johnson insisted his administration governs
ALSO ON POLITICO for the entire UK.

Viktor Orbán criticizes EU’s coronavirus crisis response

LILI BAYER Sidelined on recovery, Parliament
plans battle over EU budget
ALSO ON POLITICO
MEPs unhappy about cuts in €1.82T
No power grab in Hungary spending package.
JUDIT VARGA

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Orbán's move was the final straw. RELATED EVENT
"I have been dreaming of a "United States of Europe" for years. Precisely for this
reason, I have the right, and the duty, to say that after what Orbán has done today,
the European Union MUST act and make him change his mind. Or, simply, expel
Hungary from the Union," he tweeted, although there is no expulsion mechanism
under the EU's treaties.

The new legislation elicited criticism in Berlin as well.

"Pandemic emergency law in #Hungary: POLITICO Pro Intelligence Executive

Workshop: How COVID-19 is
Yes, #COVID19 requires adequate
changing EU politics and policies
responses. But they must not endanger
rule of law, disempower democratic Register Now Learn more

institutions or put fundamental rights at

risk," Germany's Europe Minister Michael
Roth, a member of the Social Democrats, JOBS
tweeted. "We need to overcome this
together, not rule through decrees," he Research - Geopolitics & Values at
wrote. Institute of Europeans Democrats
(Anywhere)
Members of the European Parliament also raised alarm over Hungary's latest
move. Account Manager at POLITICO
(Brussels)
"Developments in Hungary are a red alert for liberal democracy in Europe &
beyond," Renew Europe President Dacian Cioloş tweeted. "Fighting #COVID19 Offre de Stage Marketing – Marketing
digital at DII - Drive Innovation
shouldn't mean shutting down democracy."
Insights (Paris, France)
The Socialists and Democrats group wrote
Project Management Intern at
on Twitter that "with #COVID19 as a cover,
POLITICO (Brussels, Belgium)
PM Orbán is dismantling democracy in
front of our eyes. Is indefinitely ruling by Events Intern at POLITICO (Brussels,
decree or limiting media freedom a Belgium)
measured response? Not in our book." The
group also called on the European All job postings | Careers at POLITICO

Commission to respond to the vote.

German MEP Katarina Barley posed for a
photo with the message
"#NoQuarantineForDemocracy" written on a sheet of paper.

The critique was shared by the Greens, who wrote that "this is a dangerous turn
away from democratic standards & gives Orbán a carte blanche. We call on
Commission & EU countries to pay attention & ensure EU values are upheld
during #CoronaCrisis!"

The European Commission, meanwhile, said that it is looking into the legislation.

The Commission "evaluates the emergency measures taken by Member States with
regard to fundamental rights. This is particularly the case for the law passed today
in #Hungary concerning the state of emergency and new criminal penalties for the
dissemination of false information," Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders
tweeted on Monday afternoon.

Asked to respond to critics' worries, a spokesperson for the Hungarian government

said that "we already responded [to] those critics," and directed POLITICO to the
Twitter page and blog of Hungarian State Secretary Zoltán Kovács, who has written
that "false claims of a power grab in Hungary are just that."

"Such insinuations are not only incorrect but defamatory, and impede the
government’s efforts in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus," Kovács
added.

Authors:
Lili Bayer

Related stories on these topics:

Coronavirus Democracy Elections Rule of Law Hungary Viktor Orbán

"
Brussels The Continent Policy Forum Newsletters Events
Commission Poll of Polls Agriculture & Food Opinion Brussels Playbook Future Events
Parliament Brexit Transition Competition and Features London Playbook Previous Events
Industrial Policy
Council Foreign Affairs Letters to the Editor Sunday Crunch EU Studies & Career
Cybersecurity and Fair – 22nd edition
Home Affairs EU Influence
Data Protection
Politics Blogs EU Transition Snapshot
Energy & Climate Subscriptions
Berlin Calling EU Confidential
EU Budget Print Edition
Declassified Telescope: The New
Financial Services AIDS Epidemic
On Media
Health Care Davos Playbook More Info
The Coming Wars
Mobility AI: Decoded About Us
Sustainability EU in Africa Advertising
Multimedia
Technology Coronavirus daily Cookie Policy
Print edition
Trade update Contact Us
Podcasts
FAQ
The XX Factor
Special Reports Careers at POLITICO
EU Confidential Goes
Green Jobs
POLITICO Pro
We value your privacy Pro Home Page
Why go Pro?
Agree
We use cookies and other technologies to keep the site reliable and secure, tailor your experience, measure site performance and present
relevant offers and advertisements, as described in our privacy policy, updated on December 18, 2019, and cookie policy.
© 2020 POLITICO SRL Terms ofCustomize
Service | Privacy Policy

Privacy Settings