The European Commission, on Wednesday (Feb 7) launched legal action against Hungary’s controversial “sovereignty law” which the ruling Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban said was necessary to protect Budapest from foreign political interference.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the EU say?</h2>

The legislation, “protecting national sovereignty,” was led by Orban’s ruling party and approved by the Hungarian parliament in mid-December. It allows authorities to investigate and prosecute people accused of undermining the country’s sovereignty.

The European Commission, EU’s executive arm, on Wednesday, said that it has sent Hungary a formal notice that it would open an infringement procedure over the law, which it&nbsp;also said violates the 27-nation bloc’s democratic values and fundamental rights.

Brussels considers Hungary’s new law several elements of EU law, “in particular when it comes to the principle of democracy and the electoral rights of EU citizens,” said commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hungary-pm-blocks-52-billion-eu-aid-to-ukraine-as-bloc-opens-membership-talks-669823">Hungary PM blocks $54 billion EU aid to Ukraine as bloc opens membership talks</a>

Meanwhile, critics have called the recent law the Orban-led nationalist government’s latest bid to silence opponents ahead of crucial European Parliament elections and Hungarian municipal elections in June.&nbsp;

The legislation came as the incumbent PM’s government has repeatedly clashed with the EU over democratic rights in Hungary.&nbsp;

Budapest has two months to respond to the letter of formal notice. The letter of formal notice is the first step in the infringement procedure and can lead to a lawsuit and daily fines before the European Court of Justice.&nbsp;

<h2>About the ‘sovereignty law’</h2>

The new law’s implementation rests on the “Office for the Defence of Sovereignty,” which can collect information on individuals or groups that receive foreign funding and are perceived to influence the country’s political debate and electoral processes.

The separate authority can also punish banned foreign financing for parties or groups running for election with up to three years in prison.&nbsp;

Notably, the provisions under the law have been called broad but vague and importantly it lacks judicial oversight, which has raised serious concerns from independent media outlets and rights groups.

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“The setup of a new authority with wide-ranging powers and a strict regime of monitoring, enforcement and sanctioning also risks to seriously harm the democracy,” said Hipper, during a press conference in Brussels.&nbsp;

Orban’s ruling Fidesz party has argued that the law will end “electoral trickery” amid accusations that opposition parties in Hungary received funds from a US-based NGO in the run-up to the 2022 elections.

The United States had previously criticised the law calling it “draconian” and said that it was “inconsistent with our shared values of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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The European Commission, on Wednesday (Feb 7) launched legal action against Hungary’s controversial “sovereignty law” which the ruling Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban said was necessary to protect Budapest from foreign political interference.

The European Commission, on Wednesday (Feb 7) launched legal action against Hungary’s controversial “sovereignty law” which the ruling Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban said was necessary to protect Budapest from foreign political interference. What did the EU say? The legislation, “protecting national sovereignty,” was led by Orban’s ruling party and approved by the Hungarian parliament in mid-December. It allows authorities to investigate and prosecute people accused of undermining the country’s sovereignty. The European Commission, EU’s executive arm, on Wednesday, said that it has sent Hungary a formal notice that it would open an infringement procedure over the law, which it also said violates the 27-nation bloc’s democratic values and fundamental rights. Brussels considers Hungary’s new law several elements of EU law, “in particular when it comes to the principle of democracy and the electoral rights of EU citizens,” said commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper. ALSO READ | Hungary PM blocks $54 billion EU aid to Ukraine as bloc opens membership talks Meanwhile, critics have called the recent law the Orban-led nationalist government’s latest bid to silence opponents ahead of crucial European Parliament elections and Hungarian municipal elections in June. The legislation came as the incumbent PM’s government has repeatedly clashed with the EU over democratic rights in Hungary. Budapest has two months to respond to the letter of formal notice. The letter of formal notice is the first step in the infringement procedure and can lead to a lawsuit and daily fines before the European Court of Justice. About the ‘sovereignty law’ The new law’s implementation rests on the “Office for the Defence of Sovereignty,” which can collect information on individuals or groups that receive foreign funding and are perceived to influence the country’s political debate and electoral processes. The separate authority can also punish banned foreign financing for parties or groups running for election with up to three years in prison. Notably, the provisions under the law have been called broad but vague and importantly it lacks judicial oversight, which has raised serious concerns from independent media outlets and rights groups. ALSO READ | Hungary dismisses museum director for exposing children to LGBT content “The setup of a new authority with wide-ranging powers and a strict regime of monitoring, enforcement and sanctioning also risks to seriously harm the democracy,” said Hipper, during a press conference in Brussels. Orban’s ruling Fidesz party has argued that the law will end “electoral trickery” amid accusations that opposition parties in Hungary received funds from a US-based NGO in the run-up to the 2022 elections. The United States had previously criticised the law calling it “draconian” and said that it was “inconsistent with our shared values of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.” (With inputs from agencies)

EU launches legal action against Hungary’s controversial ‘sovereignty law’

According to a new announcement by the Hungarian government, apart from schools, churches will also be subject to the controversial provisions of Hungary's new anti-LGBTQ law.

Passed in June, the "Anti-Paedophilia Act", originally intended to toughen penalties for child abuse, but was later&nbsp;amended to prohibit the promotion of homosexual behaviour to minors, i.e., those under 18.

The government announced on Friday that shops will be prohibited from selling such products within a 200-metre (yard) radius of churches, schools, and child protection institutions.

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As per this law, companies are prohibited from running ads that show support for homosexuality and could be perceived as targeting minors.&nbsp;

The government decree setting out the implementation of the law regulates the "display or portrayal" of products that "express homosexuality" or represent a "deviation from the identity corresponding to the sex at birth".

Hungarian and European Union leaders are once again at odds over this law.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission chief, has branded the measure "a disgrace" and the commission has initiated an infringement procedure against Hungary, claiming the measure violates EU rights to freedom of expression, trade, and services.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-launches-legal-action-against-hungary-poland-over-lgbtq-rights-398260">EU launches legal action against Hungary, Poland over LGBTQ rights</a>

With the new law,&nbsp;Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban is seen as pursuing a policy to transform the country into an allegedly illiberal country built upon conservative Christian values.

Activists warn of a rising fear in the community as a result of the law, the latest in a series of laws targeting LGBTQ Hungarians.

The law could have an adverse effect; according to teachers, publishers, and broadcasters, it might mean that books would be removed from the curriculum and films with&nbsp;gay characters&nbsp;would be banned from daytime viewing.

Prior to the latest law, a civil society group was fined for not labelling a children's book published on same-sex parents with a parental guidance warning.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hungary-to-hold-referendum-on-controversial-anti-lgbtqia-law-says-pm-orban-399461">Hungary to hold referendum on controversial anti-LGBTQIA+ law, says PM Orban</a>

Orban announced on July 21 the new law would be subject to a national vote, although no date was specified.

It is speculated that Orban is targeting the LGBT community as part of his antimigration agenda and an effort to reinforce his socially conservative voter base ahead of the next election.

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a new announcement by the Hungarian government, apart from schools, churches will also be subject to the controversial provisions of Hungary's new anti-LGBTQ law.

According to a new announcement by the Hungarian government, apart from schools, churches will also be subject to the controversial provisions of Hungary's new anti-LGBTQ law. Passed in June, the "Anti-Paedophilia Act", originally intended to toughen penalties for child abuse, but was later amended to prohibit the promotion of homosexual behaviour to minors, i.e., those under 18. The government announced on Friday that shops will be prohibited from selling such products within a 200-metre (yard) radius of churches, schools, and child protection institutions. Also read | Thousands to join Budapest Pride march in protest over new anti-LGBT law As per this law, companies are prohibited from running ads that show support for homosexuality and could be perceived as targeting minors. The government decree setting out the implementation of the law regulates the "display or portrayal" of products that "express homosexuality" or represent a "deviation from the identity corresponding to the sex at birth". Hungarian and European Union leaders are once again at odds over this law. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission chief, has branded the measure "a disgrace" and the commission has initiated an infringement procedure against Hungary, claiming the measure violates EU rights to freedom of expression, trade, and services. Also read | EU launches legal action against Hungary, Poland over LGBTQ rights With the new law, Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban is seen as pursuing a policy to transform the country into an allegedly illiberal country built upon conservative Christian values. Activists warn of a rising fear in the community as a result of the law, the latest in a series of laws targeting LGBTQ Hungarians. The law could have an adverse effect; according to teachers, publishers, and broadcasters, it might mean that books would be removed from the curriculum and films with gay characters would be banned from daytime viewing. Prior to the latest law, a civil society group was fined for not labelling a children's book published on same-sex parents with a parental guidance warning. Also read | Hungary to hold referendum on controversial anti-LGBTQIA+ law, says PM Orban Orban announced on July 21 the new law would be subject to a national vote, although no date was specified. It is speculated that Orban is targeting the LGBT community as part of his antimigration agenda and an effort to reinforce his socially conservative voter base ahead of the next election. (With inputs from agencies)

Churches in Hungary to be subject to anti LGBTQ law

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EU launches legal action against Hungary’s controversial ‘sovereignty law’

Churches in Hungary to be subject to anti LGBTQ law