Hungary Moves to Abolish Orban-Era Sovereignty Office

Hungary's ruling Tisza party has submitted a proposal to parliament to abolish the Sovereignty Protection Office, which was created in 2023 under Viktor Orban's government. The petitioners argued that the office did not serve the public interest but pursued political ends and put pressure on citizens, organizations and the media.

The institution was originally intended to monitor the risks of foreign interference in Hungarian politics, but critics maintained that it served to suppress dissent. The European Commission has launched proceedings against Hungary over the law that established it.

During its tenure, the office published analyses reflecting the Orban government's positions on Ukraine, migration and the EU, in which opposition politicians, journalists, non-governmental organizations and academics were frequently accused of serving foreign interests.

Last year, Orban's government proposed extending the office's powers to allow it to compile a list of foreign-funded organizations, which could have led to their activities being restricted or shut down. Critics likened the plan to Russia's foreign agents law of 2012. The proposal was withdrawn following mass protests.

The office stopped publishing its analyses shortly before the April parliamentary elections, in which Fidesz lost power after 16 years.

(reuters, bak)