The Hungarian Parliament voted full powers for Premier Viktor Orban to fight the coronavirus.
Under the terms of the law, Orban, without time limitation, can govern on the basis of decrees, close Parliament, change or suspend existing laws and has the right to block elections. It is up to him to determine when the state of emergency will end. In addition, anyone who releases "fake news" will face 1 to 5 years in prison.
The law passed with 138 votes in favor against 53 against. The deputies of Fidesz and some of the far right voted in favor. The opposition tried to have a 90-day time limit inserted into the text, guaranteeing its support in return, but Orban refused.
"Today begins the dictatorship without mask of Orban". This was stated by the leader of the Hungarian socialists Bertalan Toth, commenting on the law approved by the Hungarian parliament that gives full time powers to Premier Viktor Orban to fight the coronavirus. The president of the nationalist party Jobbik also spoke of a "coup d'etat". "The opposition is on the side of the virus." With this unprecedented statement, the Hungarian Prime Minister replied to the accusations.
In Hungary only 447 have been certified so far infected with coronavirus, 15 is the number of victims. However, the actual data could be higher, even 15 times more. Health services make very few swabs: just over 13,000 have been made since the outbreak. Hospitals lack protective suits, gloves and masks, and there are only 2,560 breathing apparatus across the country.