Hungarian Democracy
According to the Freedom House, netizens of Hungary are prohibited from observing the electoral process. The government of Hungary has instilled promiscuous policies that hinder many processes in the country, unlike before. The opposition has no say in the leadership of the country. For instance, political parties cannot air their views to gain support, especially from the opposition side. However, in matter politics, there is evidence of involvement of the ruling party creating many parties to spoil votes and hence make the verdict party gain leverage for winning. On the other hand, the netizens have instilled oppression against their rights, including the right of freedom inaccessibility ("Hungary," 2020). The sex video leaks necessitated 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. Additionally, the media personnel also require the freedom of expression as their profession necessitates. People's views cannot be aired freely due to the licentious policies formulated. Likewise, freedom policies have been in prohibition. The government only allows for media exposure on constitutional rights but hides the rot on the real picture of the state in the country. Ever since 2010, Fidesz took over the political landscape.
Moreover, the state has underrepresentation of the feminine gender in its politics. Twelve percent of the national assembly members make up the minority gender. Additionally, in 2019, some policies were amended that weakened the influence of the national assembly political aisle. The speaker had the power to discipline the lawbreakers. These were initially the opposition's position in criticizing lawbreakers. Even though the constitution in Hungary applauds freedom of assembly, the Fidesz government enacted policies that empowered the police in dispersing public protests. However, the judiciary also is compromised since the current government appointed the judges. The country has over the past ten years operated under the pretense of democracy. Indeed, the administration has always nourished through the centralization of power. The fact that Transparency international ranks Hungary as the second most corrupt state in Europe does not seem to amaze the public. There have been protests in opposition to corruption in the state and poor administration. However, democracy in the state may as well be showing signs of life due to the unification factor of the opposition movements campaign.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Coronavirus Act
With the majority of votes in favor of the Coronavirus act, the government had awarded itself emergency powers. In no time the Fidesz government had already passed the coronavirus act as a law even before the opinions of Hungarians netizens were inducted. By mid-march, it was the mandate of the Hungarian government to implement extraordinary measures on the announced pandemic that had to last for 15 days. However, the law ensured the government's actions were independent of the parliament. The Hungarian parliament approved the Coronavirus Act, which allowed the government to administer to the public on the unusual actions 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 bill on 30th March 2020, it prompts for punishment as a criminal offence. 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. The European Committee was also concerned about the provisions of the Corona Virus act. Well even after airing their views on the state of Hungary, Victor Orban responded by warning that if the Europeans Union cannot be in support to the crisis, then they should refrain from the defensive measures the country makes
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 were 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. During these times, the government has to use all the support it requires, especially from its supporters. Well, this serves to be very difficult if the citizens themselves feel oppressed by the rule of law. The coronavirus Act is only obeyed in the state because people regard their health. For instance, the Hungarians matched to the streets after three weeks since they lacked direction. The government receives funds but does not inform the public of the usage, and since the parliament has no accessibility to the government functions, then also democracy lacks in the state. The administrations is a one-person show.
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 offence 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. Rather than the limits of the defensive measures the Hungarian government makes, it does allow other individuals to express their thought in governing the state. For many years the opposition has been fighting these outcry in the country. 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 require government intervention.
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/
