The Hungarian National Assembly voted to pass a new piece of legislation that allows the Hungarian government to suspend the Hungarian citizenship of dual citizens who are deemed to be a threat to the country’s ‘public order, or public or national security’ on Wednesday, 11 June.
The legislative proposal was written by Fidesz MP János Halász, and passed with 133 votes in favour, 48 votes against, and six abstentions.
According to the new law, individuals whose other citizenship is not from a country within the European Economic Area may have their Hungarian citizenship suspended if a Minister designated by the Hungarian government orders it. The specific Minister who will hold this authority has yet to be determined. The legislation also outlines specific criteria for what constitutes a national security threat that could justify suspension.
A person who serves in the military or civil service of a third (non-EEA) state, unless they do so in a state allied to Hungary, is paid for their service and ‘the nature and content of the service is not such as to create a danger’ violates the new statute; so do people who ‘act on behalf of or in the interests of a foreign power or organization in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty, constitutional order, or national security of Hungary.’
Anyone who has links with or is a member of an organization that is a terrorist organization under international law; or has been convicted by final judgment of an offence which, according to the Hungarian Criminal Code, constitutes a serious threat to public order, public security, or constitutional order (specifically, genocide, crimes against humanity, apartheid, violent change of constitutional order, conspiracy against the constitutional order, treason, disloyalty, support of the enemy, espionage, terrorist offences, and financing of terrorism) also may be punishable under the new law.
While discussing the legislative proposal at a press briefing back in March, Head of the Prime Minister of Hungary’s Office Gergely Gulyás suggested that even Hungarian American billionaire financier Geroge Soros could get his Hungarian citizenship suspended, as the United States is evidently not part of the European Economic Area. However, he was most likely only answering a hypothetical question; there is no suggestion that the Hungarian government would actually try to suspend native-born George Soros’ Hungarian citizenship.
According to the proposal, anyone may submit a report requesting the suspension of citizenship, but the procedure will only be initiated by the Minister as part of their official duties, not automatically based on third-party reports. The Minister may also conduct an evidentiary procedure to clarify the facts and may request opinions from the National Information Centre and the police.
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