European Commission Initiates Procedure Against Hungary for Violating EU "Sovereignty Protection" Law
The European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Hungary over its so-called 'sovereignty protection' law, which, according to independent media and civil society organisations, is aimed at intimidating them.
The Commission announced this on its website.
Today, the European Commission has sent an official warning letter to Budapest about its violation of EU law. This decision was taken by the Commission after a thorough assessment of the new law on the protection of national sovereignty, which was adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on 12 December 2023 and entered into force on 22 December 2023.
This is the first step that could lead to a potential legal action.
The official warning letter states, among other things, that the Hungarian law violates a number of fundamental EU values, including democracy, the right to a fair trial, as well as data protection and internal market rules.
A week ago, the so-called "Sovereignty Protection Agency", headed by the former head of the country's pro-government media, began operations in Hungary.
It implements legislation initiated by Viktor Orban's ruling party and approved by parliament in mid-December, which gives the state the power to investigate individuals and organisations suspected of "undermining the country's sovereignty", with the possibility of up to three years in prison.
Viktor Orban, who often criticises his opponents as agents paid for by Western structures, says the law is necessary to protect Hungary from undue political interference.
In turn, Hungarian NGOs opposed the law passed by the country's parliament, calling it one that allows the Hungarian authorities to effectively prosecute anyone for dissent.
In response, the Council of Europe stated that Hungary's idea to create a "sovereignty protection office" poses a threat to democratic freedoms and human rights in the country.
As The Gaze previously wrote, in January, MEPs warned of a possible lawsuit if the European Commission allocates funds to the Orban government. After all, Hungary has not fulfilled any obligations to the EU for funding.