EU takes Hungary to court due to law against foreign influence

According to the EC, this law establishes the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty, which is tasked with investigating specific activities allegedly carried out in the interest of another state or foreign body, organisation or person, activities that “allegedly violate or threaten Hungary's sovereignty”.

In the report, it said the EC had announced Hungary's concern over the law in February this year. But, as Hungary's response to the bloc's concerns was not disappointing, in May the Commission sent an opinion, repeating concerns about violating the EU Charter for fundamental rights, fundamental internal market freedoms and EU legislation on data protection.

“In response to this opinion, Hungary claimed the law on the protection of sovereignty does not violate the EU law, and the concerns raised were groundless”, the EC said.

But, the EC said most of the concerns it has raised on the issue have not yet been addressed.

On December 12, 2023, the Hungarian National Assembly adopted the law on the protection of sovereignty that empowers the Office of Sovereignty to conduct investigations.

This office could investigate “any activity that is financed from abroad and that could affect the outcome of the elections, the will of voters or support such activities”.

The law is said to have been adopted in response to the “illegal attacks on Hungary's sovereignty by foreign organisations and individuals aiming to protect their interests in Hungary and to reject Hungarian interests and regulations”.

The law envisions the investigation findings being made public. Also, negative consequences for entities subject to investigation are provided.

The EU and Budapest in the past have crashed because of the rule of law in Hungary and respect for the rights of the LGBT community.