The European Commission demands that Hungary withdraw the bill on control of foreign funding of NGOs and media
The European Commission requires the Hungarian government to withdraw the draft law on “transparency of public life”, which provides for increased control over the financing of public organizations and media from abroad. About this informs Euronews.
If passed, the document will oblige these structures to disclose sources of foreign support, and will also allow the government to create lists of threats to national sovereignty, which independent non-governmental organizations and media can get into. The draft law provides for the possibility of freezing funds and severe financial sanctions in case of further receipt of money from abroad.
According to the European Commission, these initiatives directly contradict European law and the basic democratic values of the EU. Brussels stresses that the draft law could be used to put pressure on the free press and civil society, and says it is ready to take decisive action if the law is passed. The EC stressed that guaranteeing freedom of association, access to financing and support for civil activity are principles to which the European Union remains faithful throughout its territory.
Instead, the Hungarian government says that such a law is a response to attempts to interfere in the country’s political life by foreign players, including the European Commission. The ruling Fidesz party emphasized that this is not just a legal act, but a political signal: in their opinion, Hungarian democracy should be subordinated exclusively to the will of the Hungarian people.
On May 27, the Council of the European Union will again consider the possibility of applying sanctions against Hungary, in particular depriving it of the right to vote. This will be the eighth hearing within the framework of the procedure under Article 7 of the EU Treaty, initiated in 2018 due to systematic violations of European values in Budapest.
