Postponement of Contentious Bill Regarding Stricter NGO Oversight in Hungary
Hungary postpones vote on contentious legislation tightening rules for NGO operations. - Hungary delays vote on disputed legislation aimed at restricting NGO operations
There's a hitch in the timeline for Hungary's hotly debated "Transparency in Public Life" bill, designed to tighten the reins on NGOs that might jeopardize Hungary's independence through foreign funding. Originally scheduled for a June mid-year vote, the decision's been pushed back to the fall, thanks to ongoing discussions within the Hungarian ruling party, Fidesz, about the legal safeguards for sovereignty [1][2][3].
This bill, reminiscent of Russia's "foreign agent" legislation, has sparked fears of NGO and independent media stigmatization and impediments. Given these worries, it's no surprise the EU might take an interest in the situation [1].
Although search results don't explicitly mention EU Commission intervention in this matter, it's plausible they'd be concerned, primarily due to potential ramifications on democratic values and the rule of law in Hungary. In the past, the EU has voiced concerns over Hungary's impact on NGOs and media freedom, which could trigger EU scrutiny under the EU's rule of law framework.
Over the weekend, a crowd of thousands in Hungary took to the streets to voice their opposition to the proposed legislation.
- Bill Delay
- Hungary
- Non-governmental organization
- Fidesz
- Regulation
- AFP
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-delays-vote-on-controversial-bill-tighter-ngo-rules-2021-05-30/[2] https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/hungary-putting-eus-rule-of-law-offensive-on-hold/[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/hungary-delays-anti-ngo-bill-in-sign-of-division-among-orban-allies/2021/05/30/93a0cb38-22de-11eb-a6cb-379eafa8c3f4_story.html
- The delay in voting for the "Transparency in Public Life" bill, which intensifies regulation over non-governmental organizations, has sparked discussions among the Hungarian ruling party, Fidesz, about competition policy, specifically the protection of Hungary's sovereignty.
- Amidst concerns over democratic values and the rule of law, the European Union may potentially scrutinize the situation in Hungary, given its impact on non-governmental organizations and media freedom, as it correlates with the EU's competition policy and legislation on fundamental democratic principles.
