Hungarian Democracy
According to the Freedom House, netizens of Hungary are prohibited from observing the electoral process. However, the netizens have instilled oppression against their rights, including the right of freedom inaccessibility ("Hungary," 2020). The sex video leaks necessitate for the retreat of the opposition in the 2019 campaign; the government apprises its netizens to hinder opposition efforts. The Hungarian rule lacks democracy to the extent of restricting the provision of information to the public.
Coronavirus Act
The Hungarian parliament approved the Coronavirus Act, which allowed the government to administer to the public on the extraordinary measures against the state of emergency on the pandemic (Zoltan, 2020). Nevertheless, the law empowered the Hungarian government to the extent its operations by allowing emergency powers beyond the necessity of the Disaster Relief Act. According to Zoltan (2020), the law prohibits any utterance to false statements hindering the effectiveness of the response to the emergency. As asserted by President Victor Orban, after signing the law on 30th March 2020, it prompts for punishment as a criminal offense. In as much as the government presents policies to help curb the pandemic, no one should hinder the government operations. Further, the law also prohibits elections during the period but allows the constitutional courts to be operational (Zoltan, 2020). It indicates a lack of parliamentary powers in the emergency period. When the opposition demanded a consensus in the law, they were put off during the amendments.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Freedom House Critiques
By 17th April 2020, 1763 cases were confirmed even though it was unlikely compared to the surrounding countries. Hungarian officials projected the facts to be ten times more than the broadcasted as per the Life in Hungary during COVID-19 - Atlantic Council (2020). Transportation declined by 44 percent, the same in public places. After the first case, the government prohibited accessibility to social venues, stores, and restaurants. The practices were condoned up until April when people returned to their typical statue. At this point, the mayors ware granted powers to stop movements. In the Act, the Freedom House passed its warning on the rule of the government without the parliament's decisions. It also warned against punishment upon the interference of the practices on the pandemic (“Life in Hungary during COVID-19 - Atlantic Council", 2020). Considering the government and the Prime Minister of Hungary opposed any criticism on the Act. In response to the letter from the EU member states, the Hungarian government affirmed that the law does not suspend the parliament as it informs the parliament of its dealings. Well, the danger lies in the duration of the law.
However, the measures presented by the Coronavirus Act have fostered the security and safety of individuals in Hungary. Well, the Quarantine process as legality is also approved by the Freedom House and the oppositions. Nevertheless, specific measures indicate a lack of democracy in the country. For instance, the criminal offense law in the bill signed by the president. The law prohibits members from interfering with government measures against fighting the pandemic. According to the House of Freedom, the law has no restriction whatsoever to mean that it can extend to their functions rather than just the epidemic. Additionally, the Hungarian parliament also ignores the parliament in its endeavors, which proves to the state that democracy is no more according to the rule. The opposition has emulated strictness in criticizing the law of the current government against the citizens of Hungary.
Citizens have been forced into lockdown without prior knowledge of the duration. Even if the measures comply with the emergency laws still, the rights of citizens need to be addressed.
References
Hungary. (2020). Retrieved 8th May 2020, from https://freedomhouse.org/country/hungary/freedom-world/2020
Life in Hungary during COVID-19 - Atlantic Council. (2020). Retrieved 8th May 2020, from https://atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/life-in-hungary-during-covid-19/
Zoltan, K. (2020). Hungarian Coronavirus Act passes, granting Viktor Orbán unprecedented emergency powers. Retrieved 8th May 2020, from https://index.hu/english/2020/03/30/hungary_coronavirus_act_parliament_viktor_orban_fidesz_sweeping_powers_indefinite_term/
