Ukraine War: Orban Declares “Emergency” In Hungary – What That Means
Created: 05/25/2022, 09:31 am
By: Tobias Utz
A state of emergency was declared in Hungary.
Prime Minister Orban justifies this with the Ukraine war.
This has consequences that are not new.
Budapest – Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared a “state of emergency” in Hungary on Tuesday (May 24).
In a statement on Facebook, he cited the Ukraine war and the associated dangers as the reason for this measure.
The war is "a constant danger for Hungary," said Orban.
It threatens "the energy supply and financial security of the economy and families".
The regulation has been in effect since Wednesday (May 25), midnight.
But what does that mean?
Hungary: Orban declares “state of emergency” over Ukraine war – these are the consequences
The so-called state of emergency allows Viktor Orban to repeal existing laws and enforce coercive measures by means of decrees.
The basis for this is an amendment to the constitution that Orban passed just a few hours before his statement in the Hungarian parliament.
With a two-thirds majority of the Fidesz party, he approved a corresponding amendment to the constitution in Hungary.
Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, in October 2021. (Archive photo) © Nicolas Maeterlinck / BELGA/ dpa
According to this, the government can now declare a “state of emergency” as soon as a neighboring country of Hungary is affected by an armed conflict.
A humanitarian catastrophe is also mentioned as a possible reason for the “state of emergency”.
Since Ukraine is a neighboring country of Hungary, this new regulation now applies.
However, the “emergency” regulation is nothing new: the country has been governed in this way for the past few months.
However, the corresponding decree would have expired at the end of May.
So far, the corona pandemic has been cited as the reason for this.
Orban once declared a “state of emergency” when thousands of fleeing people sought refuge via the Balkan route.
"Emergency" in Hungary: Orban demands billions from the EU
The latest "emergency" now allows Orban to represent the country's economic interests in personal union.
For example, he can combine regulations on new price caps for oil, gas, petrol or food with a simultaneous veto on the planned oil embargo against Russia.
A few days ago, Orban had demanded billions from the European Union as payment for his "yes" to the embargo.
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The “emergency” regulations thus open the door to abuse of power.
Orban can now once again position himself as a "strong man" in Hungary - without involving the parliament, in which the Fidesz party has the mentioned two-thirds majority anyway.
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