Hungarn in turmoil: thousands against Draconian Transparency Act!
Hungarn in turmoil: thousands against Draconian Transparency Act!
In Hungary, a new law threatens that could significantly restrict the freedom of civil organizations. The "Transparency Act", which was introduced by 115 parliamentarians of the Fidesz Parliamentarians, stipulates that organizations that receive funds from abroad can be classified as a potential threat to the Hungarian sovereignty. A parliamentary vote is planned for the coming weeks, which is considered a matter of form in view of the majority of Fidesz. This law and the associated measures are part of a more comprehensive repressive approach that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been pursuing for years.
The law enables the Hungarian government to lead a “black list” on which organizations can be placed that are considered a threat. Every company or every NGO that has ever received money from abroad can get to this list. For NGOs on the list, it is necessary to obtain approval in order to receive foreign donations. You also lose the possibility of getting income tax grants from Hungarian citizens, which is an important source of income. For many NGOs that are committed to human rights or environmental issues, these grants are vividly important. Kleine Zeitung reports that the opposition is considered a measure to manage opponents of government, similar to how it is known from Russia.
protests and resistance
Last weekend there were numerous protests against the law in Budapest, in which thousands of citizens gathered to raise their voice against these measures. Dissatisfaction with the government is growing, especially with regard to the upcoming parliamentary election next year. The opposition leader Peter Magyar and his Tisza party are currently clearly ahead of Orbán's Fidesz. According to Tagesschau , the plans of the Hungarian government are not only an attack on NGOs, but also on the independence of the media that could be significantly affected by the loss of donations.The EU Commission has already asked the Hungarian government to withdraw the bill and threatens to take legal steps. A violation procedure could have far -reaching consequences, including fines. As in an analysis of MDR , the law could also threaten in its existence.
Overall, it can be seen that the Hungarian government strives for comprehensive control over civil organizations and media through the planned law, which can be seen as the most repressive step while Orbán's 15-year term. This development could not only have domestic effects, but also strain relationships with international partners and organizations.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Ort | Budapest, Ungarn |
| Quellen | |