Senior hard left and far right figures demand PM Elisabeth Borne resign after just over a month in office
Europe1 week ago
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday imposed a new state of emergency in the country, citing the challenges posed by the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Hungary is already under a state of emergency, linked to the Covid pandemic, which was due to expire next Tuesday.
"The world is on the verge of an economic crisis. Hungary must stay out of this war and protect the financial security of its families," the nationalist leader said on Facebook, in comments that raised fresh concerns about the restriction of rights.
"This requires room for manoeuvre and immediate action. The government, exercising its right under the Basic Law, declares a state of emergency due to war as of midnight," Orban added.
Shortly before the announcement, the Hungarian parliament, which had just been sworn in, amended the constitution to allow for such a measure.
Orban's Fidesz party commands a two-thirds majority in the chamber.
Rules decided under the new law change will be announced on Wednesday, Orban said.
The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ) denounced the move, saying that "the state of emergency that has become permanent".
The move gives Orban "more leeway than usual", allowing him to "restrict or simply suspend everybody's fundamental rights," the group said, slamming what it described as the marginalisation of parliament.
Orban, in power for 12 years, is regularly accused by his Western partners of abuses of power in his country, a member of both the European Union and NATO.
Senior hard left and far right figures demand PM Elisabeth Borne resign after just over a month in office
Europe1 week ago
His post was praising fathers who “protect and defend the most precious”
Europe1 week ago
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made similar comments
Europe1 week ago
The wedding has been planned for December
Europe1 week ago
Massive bombardments have been targeting the city since morning
Europe1 week ago
Temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius as heatwave in line with scientists' predictions
Europe1 week ago
Visit comes a day after a Russian strike killed two people and injured 20 in the city
Europe1 week ago
London Underground workers to also join strike
Europe1 week ago