Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán requested and obtained "full powers" from parliament, in the context of the emergency linked to the spread of coronavirus. The law was passed on Monday 30 March with 137 votes in favour and 53 against.

Ordinances and decrees to bypass parliamentary debate

The new legislation allows the head of government of the European nation to legislate bypassing parliament through ordinances. This is made possible by the establishment of a state of emergency of indefinite duration. A choice that the opposition has attacked fiercely, deeming it "disproportionate". The fear, in fact, is that the coronavirus emergency could serve as a "skeleton key" for Orbán, allowing him to cement the conservative and nationalist government within Hungary's political architecture.

The law also introduces a particularly severe penalty — up to five years' imprisonment — for anyone spreading "false news" about the coronavirus. But also about the measures adopted by the government. Here too, concern is linked to the (few) alternative information sources present in Hungary, which are already constantly accused of spreading "fake news".

Viktor Orbán will be able to extend the state of emergency at will

But that is not all: the provisions passed by the Budapest parliament also allow Orbán to extend the state of emergency — in force since 11 March — for as long as he wishes. In concrete terms, the Hungarian leader will be able to suspend certain laws by simple decree and freely introduce extraordinary measures. This, the text of the legislation states, is in order to guarantee "the health, personal and material safety of citizens and the stability of the economy". In theory, therefore, solely within the scope of the pandemic.

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Hungary's parliament has voted to allow Prime Minister Viktor Orban to rule by decree in order to combat the coronavirus pandemic, giving the populist leader extra powers to unilaterally enact a series of sweeping measures cnn.it/2QXpgZ8

♥ 52💬 14 30 mar 2020 · Apri su X →

For this reason, according to Justice Minister Judit Varga, the decision is necessary because "everything that can be done to stop the spread of coronavirus must be done. The law is perfectly in line with the Hungarian Constitution." By contrast, independent MP Akos Hadhazy spoke openly of a "trap for the opposition" and of a "step towards dictatorship".

The concern of the United Nations

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also stated that it is following the political developments in Hungary "with concern". This came after an appeal issued in mid-March in which it called on all governments not to "abuse coronavirus" to adopt liberty-restricting measures. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe warned that "an indefinite and uncontrolled state of emergency cannot guarantee respect for the fundamental principles of democracy".