Opposition Jobbik has said effective efforts are needed in the fight against novel coronavirus, including comprehensive testing and honest press reports, instead of “excessive powers” handed to the government.
Referring to Monday’s parliamentary vote approving a law that grants the government enhanced powers to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, the right-wing party’s deputy group leader, Koloman Brenner, told an online press conference on Tuesday that it had been a “dark day for democracy”.
“Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, assisted by a few mandate thieves [i.e. departed Jobbik MPs who formed far-right Mi Hazánk and now supported the bill] and, unfortunately, the German national minority representative, approved the law” that grants powers for an unlimited period “to a government which already holds the most powers” in Europe, while stifling parliament’s powers and freedom of speech, he said.
Coronavirus – Orbán: Gov’t Special Powers No Threat to Opposition or Democracy
He criticised President János Áder for not objecting to the law but “very quickly signing” it. He added that “unlike other state leaders in Europe”, Áder had long remained silent about the epidemic.
Featured photo by Szilárd Koszticsák/MTI