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EU warns Hungary: Orban under pressure over NGO law!
The EU Commission is sharply criticizing Hungary over a planned NGO law that threatens the rights of organizations.
EU warns Hungary: Orban under pressure over NGO law!
Viktor Orbán is facing massive criticism due to a controversial law for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The EU Commission has already considered measures if the Hungarian government sticks to its draft law, which could blacklist NGOs that receive funding from abroad. The draft states that these organizations may receive material support from abroad only after approval from the tax office. Violations could result in a fine of up to 25 times the amount of foreign funds received, which could lead to the dissolution of the NGO. The EU Commission classifies the draft as a serious violation of EU law and is calling for its withdrawal because adoption of the law could lead to infringement proceedings that would have financial consequences, according to [Vienna.at](https://www.vienna.at/eu- Commission-kritiert-ungarn-wegen-geplanem-ngo-gesetz/9425291).
These developments are timely, as parliamentary elections are due in Hungary in a year. Orbán, who is sticking to government policy despite international criticism, is under pressure. Another factor is the rise of Peter Magyar, a breakaway from Orbán's Fidesz party, who is running as a bourgeois-conservative challenger with his new Tisza party and is already ahead of Fidesz in polls.
Deterioration of the rule of law
The situation in Hungary is also highlighted by a report from the European Parliament, which was adopted on Thursday with 433 votes in favour, 123 against and 28 abstentions. The report, which builds on a 2018 resolution, describes systematic backsliding in areas such as democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary. According to this document, there has been a shocking deterioration in EU values since 2018, largely attributed to the Hungarian government and EU inaction. Parliament regrets the lack of significant progress to address this “clear danger” and calls on the EU Commission to mobilize all available instruments to uphold the rule of law and fundamental rights, such as Europarl reports.
Among other things, MPs are demanding that financial aid that supports the misuse of EU funds or violates the rule of law be excluded from the EU. Particularly controversial are the issues of judicial independence, corruption, freedom of expression and the rights of minorities, which are now in question, as Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield from the Greens/EFA emphasizes.
EU reactions and outlook
NGOs such as Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International and Greenpeace advocate for human rights, environmental protection and health issues independently of governments. However, Orbán's ongoing government policies are raising concerns about the future of civil society in Hungary. The EU Commission is under pressure to take clear measures against Hungary and ensure compliance with European values. This could have a profound impact on Hungary's political landscape as the opposition increasingly forms itself and hopes for change.