The European Commission (EC) stepped up its infringement procedure over Hungary’s Sovereignty Defence Act, bne IntelliNews reported.
The EC sent an official notification letter in February, just three months after the approval of the legislation on the protection of national sovereignty. Earlier, in late December, Hungarian lawmakers approved a controversial legislation designed to protect national sovereignty and interests from external threats.
It gave the Hungarian government new full powers to investigate and prosecute actions deemed contrary to Hungary’s interests. However, critics argue that it aims to intimidate and silence dissenters.
The law established a Sovereignty Defence Office, tasked with preparing an annual report on organisations capable of influencing elections through foreign funding. The Office imposed criminal sanctions on people found guilty of receiving or concealing prohibited foreign campaign financing.
According to the Sovereignty Defence Act, accepting foreign funds for political purposes or attempting to conceal them carries a prison sentence of up to three years. However, critics argue that the Fidesz party has thus cut off the opposition from foreign funding. This comes ahead of local government and European Parliament elections in 2024, they add.
Hungary now has two months to react and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the EC may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
This comes against the backdrop of Italian activist Ilaria Salis facing a Hungarian court for assaulting extremely national-oriented people. The case sparked bilateral tensions, as Rome filed formal complaints on Salis’s behalf, dragging Italy into the conflict.
