Critics fear that Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban will be granted undue power by a new law that would provide the government with emergency powers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. This new law would include jail terms of up to five years for intentionally spreading misinformation that hinders the government’s response to the pandemic. The legislation, however, does not contain a time limit or sunset clause for these powers. This has led to complaints that the law lacks checks and balances and could be used to censor criticism of the government’s response to the crisis. Furthermore, critics fear that the legislation would provide a “carte blanche’ to a man who has already been in power for 10 years. Despite objections, the law is set to pass given that Prime Minister Orban’s Fidesz party has a two-thirds majority in Hungary’s parliament.
