(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, 02 APR - European Commission chief
Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern Thursday over a
coronavirus emergency law in Hungary that has given nationalist
premier Viktor Orban sweeping powers. While saying EU countries
may need extraordinary measures to tackle the pandemic, she
added: "I am concerned that certain measures go too far -- and
I'm particularly concerned with the situation in Hungary."
Hungary's parliament, dominated by Orban's ruling party,
handed the prime minister the power from Tuesday to rule by
decree until his government decides the virus crisis is over.
The emergency law also threatens journalists with prison if they
publish what it deems "falsehoods" about the virus or the
government's actions to slow it. The law has sparked alarm among
rights groups, media organisations and several EU countries,
with fears it was a power grab by Orban, who has ruled Hungary
for the past decade. (ANSA-AFP).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved