On the 30th of March 2020, the Hungarian government passed a law which permits the indefinite extension of ‘state of emergency’ in the country. This allows the Prime Minister to rule by decree without governmental or judicial enquiry as well as bar by-elections.
Hungary has been under scrutiny as certain measures taken by the Hungarian government, under Fidesz, have been questioned. Values including freedom and rule of law, which are fundamental to our political family, need to be upheld regardless the cost.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that clear measures are followed by all members as the priority is ensuring the safety of all. The crisis we are experiencing now, calls and justifies such measures but can never justify undemocratic actions taken by governments.
As the EU and its citizens are working hard in securing the stability of the economy and safety of all directly and indirectly involved in the fight against this crisis, it is disheartening to see actions such as those recently taken by the Hungarian government.
Today we are all fighting against COVID-19. The priority is to save lives. And even if our economies and our free European way of life are now suspended due to containment measures, democracies can never be suspended.
