In Hungary, Orban's ruling party wants to introduce repressions based on the Russian model
Kyiv • UNN
Orban's party is proposing a law that would allow blacklisting organizations that receive foreign funding if they are deemed a "threat" to sovereignty. It is reminiscent of the Russian law on "foreign agents".
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party "Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union" proposes to introduce repressions against citizens in Hungary according to the Russian model. The new bill fits into the trend of retreating from democracy in this Central European country. This is reported by Politico, reports UNN.
Details
The "Fidesz" party introduced a controversial bill "On Transparency of Public Life" to the parliament on Wednesday, which critics consider an attack on civil society.
It will allow the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty to blacklist organizations that receive foreign funding, including from EU grants, if it considers them a "threat" to national sovereignty.
The Office for the Protection of Sovereignty is a government body established in December 2023, which has the authority to investigate the activities of any groups or individual recipients of foreign funding.
The proposed bill is part of a broader scheme of retreat from democracy in Hungary, where Orban's government is increasingly persecuting independent institutions and dissent. In many positions, it resembles the Russian law on "foreign agents", which the Kremlin uses to suppress non-governmental organizations and independent voices.
Groups included in the Hungarian government's list will lose access to donations in the form of a 1% income tax from citizens and will be required to prove that all funding is internal. Leaders of these organizations will also face strict disclosure rules, including mandatory asset declarations.
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The bill also allows the authorities to conduct intrusive inspections, seize documents and devices, and impose severe fines — up to 25 times the amount of any foreign funding received, which must be paid within 15 days.
The bill defines that threats to national sovereignty include influencing public opinion, promoting democratic debates, or challenging values defined by the state, such as Christian culture and traditional family roles.
Addition
Member of Parliament from the "Fidesz" party, Janos Galas, justified the submitted bill by the fact that in recent years there have been exposed "abuses that seriously violate the sovereignty of Hungary".
In a speech on March 15 of this year, Orban promised to deal with the "shadow army" of political opponents, journalists, judges and activists in the country, who, according to him, work for foreign countries. He compared his political opponents to "insects" who deserve "shame and contempt" and hinted at a future "spring cleaning".
Let us remind
On the eve of the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, accused Ukraine of conducting intelligence operation against his country. He convened the Defense Council and accused Ukraine of a smear campaign.
