The European Commission has intensified its scrutiny of Hungary’s proposed ‘Transparency of Public Life’ bill, asserting that the legislation may contravene core EU principles and legal standards. The Hungarian government, however, insists the measure is necessary to safeguard national sovereignty and promote greater transparency in public affairs.
‘If the draft is adopted, we will not hesitate to take the necessary steps,’ the Commission warned on Wednesday. In response, Hungarian EU Affairs Minister János Bóka stressed that the government’s hands are tied, as the proposal was submitted on the initiative of MP János Halász. Bóka dismissed the renewed focus on Hungary’s rule of law as ‘political hysteria and pressure’ orchestrated by EU member states.
EU Commissioner for Democracy Michael McGrath expressed serious concerns over the draft law, arguing that it may breach EU law and urging Hungary to withdraw the proposal. The Commission has indicated it is prepared to initiate legal proceedings should the legislation advance.
Hungarian officials, however, have continued to defend the bill, portraying it as a necessary tool for protecting the nation’s democratic processes from undue foreign influence. They argue that the draft law is designed to enhance transparency by obliging organizations that receive foreign funding to publicly disclose their financial sources. This, they contend, is crucial for preventing covert attempts by external actors to shape Hungary’s political and civic landscape.
‘The Commission has indicated it is prepared to initiate legal proceedings should the legislation advance’
On 27 May the Justice Committee of the Hungarian Parliament approved a series of amendments to the bill, introducing additional obligations for the organizations affected. The government maintains that the proposed changes align with Hungary’s constitutional framework and are intended to promote accountability and integrity within civil society.
Nonetheless, the bill has sparked sharp criticism from Hungarian opposition media and civil society organizations. Outlets such as 444.hu, Telex, HVG, and 24.hu have condemned the initiative, warning that it poses a serious threat to press freedom and democratic values. Critics have likened the measure to Russia’s controversial ‘foreign agent’ laws, which are widely seen as mechanisms for suppressing dissent and silencing independent voices.
The proposed legislation is part of a broader package of government initiatives aimed at reinforcing Hungary’s sovereignty and insulating the country’s democratic institutions from foreign interference. Officials argue that such measures are essential in light of what they view as growing efforts by external actors to influence domestic affairs through indirect means.
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