The Hungarian government rejects the country’s emergency law law in violation of EU rules.
Denmark is destroying the foundations of the entire EU cooperation when the government blatantly spreads ‘fake news’ about Hungary.
This is the view of the Hungarian government, after Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod (S), together with his colleagues from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, criticized Hungary, among other things, for looking closely at the EU ‘s rule of law.
– It only creates division and helps to undermine the effective functioning of these multilateral institutions when spreading fake news about certain members of the European family, according to a letter from Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó.
The controversy began when the five Nordic countries sent a letter to the Council of Europe last week working to promote democracy and human rights in Europe. Here they criticized, among other things, the Hungarian government, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the lead for violating the democratic playing field during the corona crisis.
In March, the Fidesz National Conservative government passed a corona emergency law that gives it the right to direct corona action by decree – that is, out of parliament . In addition, there is no expiration date on the extraordinary law, and you can smoke in jail if you spread misinformation about the crisis. It has met with harsh criticism from many sides, including Denmark.
– Even in an emergency, the law must prevail, the letter read.
‘Disappointing’ and ‘worrying’
But the European Commission has subsequently scrutinized the Emergency Law, and according to Justice Commissioner Vera Jourová , the Hungarian government has not yet violated any EU rules. That is why, according to Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, it is both “disappointing” and “seriously worrying” that Denmark, along with the other Nordic countries, is now reprimanding Hungary, which joined the EU in 2004.
He describes it as “groundless, politically motivated attack” and he emphasizes that Parliament can repeal the emergency law at any time. However, it requires a two-thirds majority, and today Fidesz sits with his support party on more than two-thirds of the seats in parliament .
But Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod denies that there is neither fake news nor unjustified attacks.
“We have put into words the very worrying development, which unfortunately has taken place over a long period of time in Hungary,” he said yesterday.
– Joining the EU is based on the rule of law and respect for democracy, human rights and freedom of expression . We must guard that.
