The European Commission said on Thursday that it has referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union because it considers the country’s law on sovereignty protection to be in breach of EU law. Furthermore, the European Commission launched an infringement procedure against Hungary over a progressive turnover-based tax system for retailers that it said constituted a restriction to the freedom of establishment.
In a statement, the EC noted that the law establishes the Sovereignty Protection Office, “tasked with investigating specific activities said to be carried out in the interest of another State or a foreign body, organisation or natural person” which could violate or jeopardise Hungary’s sovereignty.
The office is also responsible for investigating organisations that use foreign funding to carry out activities that could influence the outcome of elections or the will of voters, it said.
The EC noted that it sent a letter of formal notice to Hungary, launching an infringement procedure over the law in February.
Because it considered Hungary’s response “unsatisfactory”, the EC stepped up the infringement procedure in May, “reiterating the grievances concerning the violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Internal Market Fundamental Freedoms, and EU Data protection legislation”, it noted.
EC head Ursula von der Leyen and PM Orbán in Budapest: no longer friends. Photo: FB
In its response, Hungary said the sovereignty protection law was not in breach of EU law and that the commission’s concerns were unfounded, the statement said.
The EC said that after assessing Hungary’s reply, it maintained most of its concerns which, it said, had not been addressed.
It said its concerns were connected with the sovereignty protection law’s violation of several fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights such as the right to respect private and family life, freedom of expression and information, freedom of association, the right to legal professional privilege and the presumption of innocence.
Breaching several fundamental freedoms
The EC said it also considered the law to be in breach of several fundamental freedoms of the internal market, the e-Commerce Directive, the Services Directive and the EU Data protection legislation.
The commission also criticised the Hungarian law for entrusting the Sovereignty Protection Office “with very broad discretion concerning investigations, notably on access to information, empowering the Office to intervene” in investigations. Further, the law “requires extensive publicity about the individual investigations and their findings”, which the EC said “will have negative consequences for the concerned entities including a stigmatising effect”.
The statement added that the “broad powers and discretion” of the Sovereignty Protection Office affected a wide range of people and organisations, including civil groups, media outlets and journalists disproportionately.
European Commission launched another infringement procedure
Supermarket chain SPAR has launched “another political attack against Hungary with Brussels on its side”, the National Economy Ministry said on Thursday.
The ministry issued the statement after the European Commission launched an infringement procedure against Hungary over a progressive turnover-based tax system for retailers that it said constituted a restriction to the freedom of establishment.
Photo: Daily News Hungary
The ministry said Hungary’s sectoral tax on retailers had come under attack again, in spite of the Court of Justice of the European Union’s position, in a ruling in 2020, that it was in line with EU norms.
“This measure was attacked once and we defended it, and we’ll defend it now, too,” it added.
The ministry noted that the CJEU had ruled earlier that member states were free to decide on the taxation system that best fit their needs, including progressive taxation based on turnover.
With its latest decision, the EC has “taken the side of price-gouging, profit-hungry SPAR instead of families”, the ministry said.
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8 Comments
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
So what is new, the EU taking Hungary to court. Hungary should not participate and should just withdraw from the biased establishment.
Now, former President Trump was impeached for Russia collusion. Of course, the President was not guilty. Betraying your country seem to be encouraged by the EU.
No foreign influence should be allowed to affect change of a democratically elected and supported government. The EU cannot allow a country like Hungary have sovereignty.
Not only is it time to leave the court, get out of the EU. This time they have gone one step too far.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
We all know why this is happening, let’s be honest.
If Hungary had capitulated and was now awash with third-world invaders, raping us, robbing us, beating us up, blowing us up, looting and trashing our cities, there would be no “infringement” procedures.
Or if Hungary would’ve accepted financing and other kinds of support of Ukraine, with no accountability, no strategy, and no end EVER, there would be no “infringement” procedures.
The E.U. is not harming Hungary with this clown show. It is harming itself. This is the political equivalent of the Soviet tanks in ’56. Keep going, E.U.rotrash: It only hastens your all-too-welcome eventual demise!
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Since when have legal, ethical and moral infringements ever bothered Hungarians, top to bottom?
Too many in centre &/or opposition dislike Fidesz, simply because they think it’s the opposition’s turn to steal and/or dole out influence?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
If elections across Europe continue to go as they have been going recently, I think Hungary can look forward to an end to these endless persecutions. The EU élite do not speak for the people of Europe.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office is the new ÁVH (secret police) that is created to legally spy on inviduals and organizations that current government doesn´t like.
Hungary is going towards a scary authoritarian direction with such governmet officials that can freely violate basic individual rights. Great that EU is not just standing by and watching in disbelief, but taking actions to prevent such development towards an authoritarian nation where private and family life and freedom of espression are not respected. I hope EU can pressure Hungary stop this development.
This infringement has simply nothing to do with immigration and Ukraine.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
The DEEPENING of the darkening days engulfing Hungary – a Government, led by an individual who has betrayed the citizens of Hungary, his CRUSHING of DEMOCRACY – his Distillation of Democracy, a Government under the “infamous” – Victor Mihaly. Orban that GROWS in exhibiting, through its control of the Media – of the Judiciary, that Rules by Decree, that has factually an agenda to RULE over Education and Educators.
These are just a TRICKLE smallish number of the HEINOUS matters of conduct – that have continue under the Victor Mihaly. Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary.
PRESSURIZATION on Orban – his Fidesz Government, who KNEW under Membership of the European Union, that RIGHTS in number are SURRENDERED under Sovereignty, in becoming a Member of the European Union.
Orban, and his Fidesz Government knew the LAWS of Complying – of Compliance.
Orban and his Fidesz Government – knew DEMOCRACY – the DOMINATING – Creed, to being a Member Country of the European Union.
WHAT – it WORSENS by the DAY – what after 15 years – this “turn coat” – this Hypocrite – this betrayer, to the citizens, the country of Hungary, what HAVE You – us Hungary, what have we ALLOWED our country to BECOME ???
Do not dismiss – that Orban and his Fidesz Government near or are INSOLVENT.
Hungarians – we KNOW the humongous gargantuan growing daily DEBT that has been created through BORROWINGS from China and Russia, inclusive of GROWING un-paid Debts to the European Union, that on the subject of this article, will WORSEN, as Orban, his Fidesz Government have NO grounds of EVIDENCE to suggest there INNOCENSE.
WHAT is still to “Come Out” the closet/cabinet – to add to the Nadir state that the Orban – Fidesz Government as a country have DELIVERED us – taken us to.
“This is not the End, it may be the Beginning of the End”.
What’s to COME – horrifies me.
Hungary – we leave the European Union, NATO play games with Schengen, continue to SIGN Off to allowing the Orban – Fidesz Government, its DISTILLATION of DEMOCRACY – we are DOOMED, go into a PERILOUS place, under Communism and a Dictatorial Regime Government, ruled and Governed led by a DICTATOR.
Hungary we are SMASHED – we are CRUSHED, we are behaving we have run out of options in efforts to SURVIVE, just “rolled over” – feed into – FEEDERS – adding to our DEMISE by adapting – taking the words, the ways, the PROPAGANDA – the LIES, the un-truths, the FABRICATION(S) – the “Veilings” of Facts and Truth – of Orban and his Fidesz Government – that they would be our PROSPEROUS individual, our Families our Grand-children’s – the future of our country – Life Line.
Bluffed, Fooled, Gullible, Brain Washed that has been – its there in FRONT of our very eyes, destined our personal lives, families Grand-children and FUTURE generations of Hungarians, we as a country have acted continue to act in STUPIDITY.
WHAT next I ask, is coming adding to the OBVIOUS cataclysmic capitulation as a country we DIVE deeper into.
Orban – the Fidesz Government – they have NO money.
Orban – the Fidesz Government can’t make INVESTMENTS into the FUTURE of Hungary – education, public health, hospitals, community health, roads, public transport – things they are ESSENTIAL in the DAILY needs of Peoples Lives.
Orban – the Fidesz Government have NO Money.
Orban – the Fidesz Government – are NOT drawing INVESTMENT from WESTERN Country’s.
WHY ?
Simple answer – the HIGH RISK growing FACTORS of the collapsing Hungarian Economy.
Income – to re-payment of ACCUMULATING growing Government debt in borrowings – the servicing of these Governments BORROWINGS, as a country we are NOT in the “ball park” generating enough income nor capital building – to SERVICE – to reduce – to PAY Off – the HERRENDOUS Debts of the Orban – Fidesz Government.
WHO of Western country’s would LEND money to Hungary ?
WHO ?
Hungary – we MUST take BLAME for we are in a DOOMED trend.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Steiner Michael.
The hypocrisy of YOU – the Gall of you to use the word HONEST.
Steiner Michael, paid up FULL Member of the Fidesz Political Party.
Is HONESTY through your blindness and ignorance, your lack of intellectual capacity, your DEVOTION to your Demigod, the “infamous” leader of your Political Party, the “infamous” current Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Mihaly. Orban – and you use the word HONEST.
Laughable and justification and confirmation, you are a lost cause, an individual, who in your blindness, with the mounting FACTUAL evidence growing daily, through your solely Political Party – Fidesz, your commentary’s being un-moved in belief, that the FUTURE for Hungary, is to be Ruled and Governed under a Dictatorship, of Communistic Governance.
Repulsive & Idiotic for Hungary – the FUTURE of Hungary, if there is going to be a FUTURE after the Scuttling, the Demolition and the Destruction, through 15 years under Orban and the Fidesz Political “Heinous” Government of Hungary.
Move on to what would be the 43rd city – you are on “Public Record” claiming you and your Hungarian born wife have lived.
Then again, your right to stay in Hungary, sticking your head out your apartment window, watching the “Communist” vehicles pass on by in your utca, your “mouth” talk, previously communicated in commentary from you, has the film been released yet, if that’s your “Love Child” – your committed believed safety zone STAY by all means, and re-live Savour again the years 1945 -1989 under the Red Flags, the Dictatorship of Hungary, under COMMUNISM.
Honesty, start with your-self because if you can’t be HONEST with yourself – who will you through your dishonesty claim as victims, just like your ADORED one – the “infamous” – Victor Mihaly. Orban that has CRUSHED this country – Hungary.
Hungary – the years 1945 -1989 then under the 15 years of the Orban – his “idiotic” – Political Ideas and “ill-fated” Philosophy – without substance lacking FACT – having NO reference to History, a “Novice” in his practices interpretation(s) of his Ideology.
Hungarians NEVER have been given an OPPORTUNITY post 1945, to build on there individual prosperity.
The prosperity of a country depends, not on the abundance of its revenues, nor on the strength of its fortification(s), nor on the beauty of its Public buildings ; but it consists in the number of its CULTIVATED citizens, in its men and women of Education, enlightenment and character.
Hungary – through the longevity of 1945 on, of SOCIALISM, up to 2024 as DEMOCRACY has NEVER in those years 1945 on been understood nor practiced certainly NOT embraced in Hungary, that stems from lack of formulative Education standards in not EDUCATING the meaning of the word DEMOCRACY.
Communism – it distorts and manipulates the distinctive talents of individuals rather than letting those TALENTS flourish.
Communism – it prevents Progress and Prosperity that your life is on a conveyer belt, an assemble line, like that of Henry Fords introduction, into motor vehicle building in the United States of America, the named had COMMUNISTIC ways in his doings and behaviour, and when you reach the end of the production line, the conveyer belt production line – you are MOULDED just like those who left the line before you, those that will follow you, like a potter does with clay, just another INDIVIDUAL confined, retarded existing in a life format and style, through COMMUNISTIC means of manufacture and design.
Communism – distorts open mindedness, creativity expansion of vision, that buries – eliminates INDIVIDULISM, likened to thinking outside the square, just doesn’t not permitted to HAPPEN.
Hungary – if it doesn’t re-educate it-self, in it’s endeavours to GRASP the advantages individually and as a country of DEMOCRACY over Communism – if Hungary, don’t “hit the books” – Perilous for the FUTURE of this country.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
” An Unknown lifeboat, is BETTER than a KNOW Ship, sinking FAST – by the Stern.” WHO or What will be our Saviour ??? ostanus, Anonymous, Falland, where do you come up with such a garbage?
Just to review a few facts:
1. A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity.
2, A country has enforceable borders.
3. A country has right to sovereignty; the authority of a state to govern itself.
You are all talking against the basic principles of a sovereign country. It is only up to the “Hungarian People” to decide the type of Government and Laws that are being approved. Hungarian people have much more control over their government because of referendums, commonly referred as consultation.
Now, I do not know how many of you live in that small country. My comments were always in support of the people and government. Your comments, however, are derogatory and detrimental. If you are so knowledgeable, have you not run for office and see if you can even convince 100 people to support you.
I deduce from your comments that none of you have a PhD in Hungarian History. You all are anti-Hungarian and pro-EU. Just think for a minute and be honest with yourself, find one good reason why Hungary should not exist as a sovereign country? Why are you supporting socialist ideas that allow migrants to murder people in German and France? Why are you supporting regimes like EU that have lowered the standard of living of all citizens and made home buying unaffordable?