Hungary passes a new emergency law to curb COVID-19
Hungary is being criticised for the new emergency law that it passed giving extraordinary powers to its Prime Minister.
About the Law
The new law was passed to help curb the spread of misinformation about COVID-19. The key focus of the criticism is that it gives extraordinary powers to the Prime Minister without specifying an end date for its applicability. It provides for imprisonment of 5 years for persons indulging in spreading of fake news and undermining of efforts to fight the viral pandemic. It is also feared that the law could be used to silence independent media.
Viktor Orban
Viktor Orban is the Prime Minister of Hungary. He has held the post since 2010 and he belongs to the conservative Fidesz Party. He is noted for his hardline approach towards issues like immigration, media, etc. The party enjoys a 2/3rd majority in the country’s parliament.
Government of Hungary
Hungary is a unitary, representative, parliamentary democratic republic. Its government functions in accordance with the ‘Fundamental Law of Hungary’- its constitutional document. It has a unicameral legislature composed of ‘Orszaggyules’ or the National Assembly. The Prime Minister is the head of the government while the President is the head of the state.
