EU Commission Demands Hungary Withdraws Its Draft Transparency Law

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wants to make the work of organisations more difficult with a new law. There is a threat from Brussels.

The EU warns Hungary against an NGO law based on the Russian model. The Commission is threatened with a trial – and with high penalties, if Orban should not intervene.

The European Commission is demanding that Hungary withdraw a bill aimed at restricting foreign funding for NGOs and the media. If passed, the law would constitute a serious violation of EU principles and law, Brussels says.

Hungary is planning a new law for greater transparency on financial transactions. The EU Commission sees this regulation as a "serious violation".

Hungary has redoubled its attempts to silence civil society and independent media with a new bill. The rule, entitled Transparency in Public Life, has already been debated in Parliament and the supermajority of Fidesz, the party of ultra-conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, guarantees its approval. The European Commission has raised the tone to try to prevent this latest parliamentary procedure in extremis. “If adopted as drafted, it would …

The Hungarian government plans to limit the work of civil organisations funded from abroad. The EU Commission speaks of a serious violation of European law - and threatens Viktor Orban with consequences.