The European Union takes legal action against Viktor Orban’s Hungary over its “sovereignty” law

Brussels announces that it will initiate proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, denouncing a law in “violation” of European law.

The Hungarian nationalist government once again in the crosshairs of Brussels. The European Commission announced on Thursday October 3 that it would take legal action against Hungary to challenge the law on “sovereignty” adopted at the end of 2023 by Budapest. This legislation creates a supervisory authority intended to prevent “foreign interference” in the electoral process and “protect sovereignty” of the country, with possible prison sentences. Seeing a “breach” of European law, Brussels has decided to initiate proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), even though Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union until December 31.

The Commission would like this “the matter is dealt with promptly, including, where appropriate, by an accelerated procedure”a spokesperson told the press.

The European executive announced in February its “serious concerns” on the subject and opened infringement proceedings against Hungary, with a letter of formal notice for violations of EU law. The response provided by the Hungarian government was not “not been satisfactory”estimated the Commission, which had reiterated its complaints against this legislation in May, in vain.

Budapest regularly accuses Brussels and “various organizations” foreign, notably American, “distribute billions of euros” to the opposition in order “to influence the choice of voters”. Thus, this law, mis in place in the run-up to the European and municipal elections in June, creates a “independent sovereignty protection office” with the mission “to investigate” on the “illegal attacks” threatening national security. This concerns the activities of organizations benefiting from foreign funding.

Several human rights NGOs, including Amnesty International, accuse the Hungarian government of wanting “silencing critical voices“, considering that could be targeted “journalists, businesses, unions, churches and municipalities”.

The United States also said “concerned” by one “law incompatible with our common values ​​of democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law” who endows the government “draconian tools that can be used to intimidate and punish people whose views are not shared by the ruling party”, Fidesz.