‘Absolutely unacceptable’: MEP says Hungary’s COVID-19 law means democracy has been suspended

Hungary’s new emergency law to deal with the coronavirus crisis is the suspension of parliamentary democracy in the country, it’s been claimed. Spanish MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar hit out after Hungarian MPs passed legislation allowing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to rule by decree for as long as a state of emergency — declared on 11 March — is in effect.

The law also sets prison terms of up to five years for those convicted of spreading false information about the pandemic. “This last legislative move is the last drop,” said López. “It means actually the suspension of parliamentary democracy in Hungary.

The European Commission is investigating the new law and commissioners will debate it on Wednesday. “Any emergency measures must be limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate,” said Eric Mamer, chief spokesman for the European Commission. “They must not last indefinitely. Moreover, governments must make sure that such measures are subjects of regular scrutiny.”

Source: Europe News

Author: Tuula Pohjola

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