An extraordinary debate was held in Brussels on Wednesday on the new transparency law, which draws inspiration from U.S. practice. Several EU politicians consider the bill a violation of freedom of expression and democratic principles, reported Index.
“The rule of law is not a political slogan, but a shared responsibility,” said Adam Szlapka, Poland’s EU minister and member of the left-wing Civic Coalition party, on behalf of the European Council at the extraordinary session of the European Parliament. The plenary debate was added to the agenda without prior notice, taking some MEPs by surprise. Speaking before a largely empty chamber, Szlapka recalled that next week’s meeting offers a unique opportunity to assess the situation of the rule of law in Hungary in the context of the Article 7 procedure.
Irish Commissioner Michael McGrath of the pro-migration Fianna Fáil party, who recently visited Budapest, emphasized that fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and the right to information, are among the pillars of the European Union. The committee believes that a law that restricts freedom of expression could seriously undermine these principles. McGrath recalled that the European Court of Justice had previously condemned Hungary for a law restricting civil society organizations, which the government was ultimately forced to withdraw. Regarding the new bill, he emphasized that they had concerns on several points and “would not hesitate to take legal action if necessary.”
Fidesz MEP Csaba Dömötör said that it was high time to finally talk about transparency and criticized civil society organizations, particularly the role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Hungary.
The European Commission is funding liberal, leftist activist groups engaging in political activities, especially during elections. These are the tools for external intervention.”
Fidesz MEP András László described the debate as a “political witch hunt” against Hungary with the left-liberal majority sinking to a new moral low: “They are attacking Hungary because of a law that has not even been passed yet. Absurd! What is not absurd, but outrageous, is the foreign interference!”
The authorities investigated the 2022 interference in the election campaign, and the State Audit Office punished the left-wing parties! Now, in the first round of the Polish presidential election, the same Soros-funded network that was active in Hungary in 2022, has been activated: DatAdat (now known as Estratos) and Action for Democracy have also been exposed in Poland!”,
he pointed out.
Hungarian opposition MEPs who spoke in the debate argued that the law does not actually serve transparency, but political control. According to Zoltán Tarr, MEP for the Tisza Party, “a doomed system is trying to silence critics while diverting attention from the everyday problems of Hungarians.” Csaba Molnár, a politician from the left-wing Democratic Coalition (DK), believes that the question is whether the European Union still exists as a legal community if this can be done in one Member State without consequences. “Let us show together that the EU exists and protects its citizens,” he called on MEPs. Zsuzsanna Borvendég (Mi Hazánk) spoke of globalist double standards:
If a sovereign Member State wants to make the global mainstream network visible, they will call it dictatorship. It is actually the act of stripping away the nation’s right to self-defense. The fierce opposition from globalist forces serves as proof of the law’s justification, clearly showing that this proposal has struck a nerve with those who seek to undermine national sovereignty.”
In a Facebook post following the debate, the Hungarian MEP pushed back further against criticism from the European Parliament, clarifying what she sees as a fundamental misunderstanding. “The recent debate in the EP on Hungary did not concern the text of the Hungarian transparency law,” she stated, emphasizing that such legislation “falls within the competence of the Hungarian Parliament,” which, she noted, “has no superior body.” According to Borvendég, the real issue under discussion in Brussels was
whether to deprive our country of its voting rights in the European Council and cut off the funds that are still trickling into agriculture.”
She condemned the move as “despicable and cheap blackmail,” and called it “an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.” Addressing concerns over foreign influence, Borvendég added that, as a Member of the European Parliament, “not only am I not allowed to accept money from anyone, but I also have to report in advance if I meet with a representative of a third country at any level.” In her view, this transparency is entirely justified: “Everyone has the right to know whether there may be any bias on my part in the course of my work.” She concluded, “the EP does not like foreign influence either.”
As Hungary Today has reported, the new transparency law is a direct consequence of the scandals of years past, when foreign actors have poured enormous sums into Hungary’s underfunded media and political landscape in order to tilt them towards serving their ideological and commercial interests.
Related article
Fidesz MEPs Defend New Transparency Bill Targeting Foreign Interference
Kinga Gál and Tamás Deutsch emphasized that proposed legislation aims to protect democracy by regulating foreign-funded organizations involved in Hungary’s public and political life. Continue reading
Via Index; Featured photo: MTI/Purger Tamás
