The European Commission launched an infringement procedure against the sovereignty law in Hungary

This article was originally published in English

This is the second battle between the European Commission and Hungary. The EU institution launched an infringement procedure against the Hungarian sovereignty law.

This lawLaunched by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling party and approved by parliament in December, the law allows the state to investigate people and organizations suspected of undermining the country’s sovereignty, with possible penalties of up to three years in prison.

The leader, who often calls his critics agents paid by Western institutions, says the law is necessary to protect Hungary from political interference.

Implementation of the text depends on the newly created Office for the Defense of Sovereignty. The establishment may collect information about groups of individuals who receive foreign funding and who influence the country’s political debate and electoral processes. Hungarian secret services are required to assist the authorities.

The law’s provisions, particularly its broad mandate and absence of judicial oversight, raise serious concerns from civil society and independent journalists, who fear being targeted if they prove too critical of Viktor Orbán. They would then be powerless to challenge decisions taken by the office to protect sovereignty.

The European Commission echoed these considerations and said on Wednesday that the law violates a wide range of fundamental values ​​such as the principle of democracy, the right to privacy, the protection of personal data, freedom of expression, information and association. among others, the right to a fair trial.

Hungary has two months to respond to the Commission’s objections. A formal notice letter is the first step in the infringement process, which can lead to legal action before the EU’s Court of Justice and daily fines.

The United States already had criticized the law“Condemning the harsh tools used to intimidate and punish those whose views are not shared by the ruling party.”

This new clash between the Commission and Budapest comes just days after A summit where Viktor Orban overrode his veto To allow the adoption of a special fund of 50 billion euros for Ukraine, after intense pressure from his counterparts and the European Parliament.

As part of the talks leading up to the summit, Hungary’s prime minister demanded the immediate release of some 21 billion euros in recovery and cohesion funds that the European Commission is holding up because of persistent shortfalls in EU defence. The rule of law in Hungary. However, the organization insists that no money will be released until the country respects a series of “milestones” and conditions for resolving the situation.