The Hungarian Parliament granted Viktor Orban the right to legislate by decree on Monday as the country faces the coronavirus pandemic, without setting a time limit for the Prime Minister despite calls to that effect from the opposition and groups of defense of civil rights.
President Janos Ader, an ally of the head of government, promulgated the text extending the state of emergency in Hungary after its adoption by the Parliament, where the majority are the elected members of the ruling party, Fidesz. He said the new law respected international treaties and the Hungarian Constitution.
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The law has drawn criticism from the opposition, civil rights groups and the Council of Europe for setting no time limit on the additional powers attributed to Viktor Orban. Activists fear that these powers will be used to muzzle journalists while the independent media in the country are forced to reduce their staff and budgets while the press close to the government continues to be allocated public aid.
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The government rejected these criticisms, asserting that the new law only allowed it to adopt the measures necessary to combat the coronavirus, and that Parliament was able to revoke the additional powers of the executive. Justice Minister Judit Varga said it was " very damaging false news " to say that the law was intended to neutralize the national assembly.
Janos Ader assured that the special authorization granted to the government would end when the epidemic was overcome and was limited to the fight against the virus and its consequences.
