US says Hungarian sovereignty law gives 'draconian tools' to government

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A law passed in Hungary's parliament last week gives the government "draconian tools" to intimidate those with views not shared by the ruling party, the U.S. Statement Department said on Wednesday.

THE TAKE

The "protecting national sovereignty" law will set up a separate authority to explore and monitor risks of political interference. It will punish banned foreign financing for parties or groups running for election with up to three years in prison.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stepped up his party's campaign ahead of European Parliament elections next June. He has clashed repeatedly with the European Union over democratic rights in Hungary.

KEY QUOTES

The law "equips the Hungarian government with draconian tools that can be used to intimidate and punish those with views not shared by the ruling party," the State Department said in a statement.

The ruling Fidesz party says the law will defend against undue political interference by foreign persons or groups.

However, the State Department said on Wednesday that the legislation "could be used to subject Hungarian citizens, businesses, and organizations to intrusive investigations with no judicial oversight, even if they have had no contact with or support from a foreign government or foreign entity."

CONTEXT

Orban, in power since 2010, has denied accusations he was undermining democracy in Hungary.

"Hungary's sovereignty is impaired - and it also carries a heightened risk to national security - if political power gets into the hands of persons or organizations dependent on any foreign power, organization or person," the bill said.

Orban, who has a two-thirds majority in parliament that allows Fidesz to change any legislation, scored his fourth landslide victory in 2022.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights urged Hungary last month to shelve the legislation, saying it gave sweeping investigative powers with little democratic oversight.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Howard Goller)