Socialists call for special session of parliament to amend higher education law

The opposition Socialist Party on Thursday said it will initiate a special session of parliament to amend Hungary’s higher education law after the European Commission stepped up an infringement procedure against Hungary over earlier amendments to the law.

Socialist MEP István Ujhelyi told a press conference that if the Hungarian parliament and government fail to address the EC’s concerns over the law within the next month, the case could go to the European Court of Justice, which could leave Hungary with a hefty fine.

The Socialists are therefore calling for parliament to hold an extraordinary session within the next four weeks to amend the higher education law, he said.

In its response, ruling Fidesz said that there was a “deceptive campaign assisted by the Socialists and Brussels” around the higher education law. Fidesz insisted that all foreign universities and countries affected by the law were cooperative and were ready to negotiate, with the exception of the “Soros university” (CEU). “No university is above the law,” the party added.

Hungary amended its higher education law to tighten rules governing the operations of foreign universities in the country in April.

Source: MTI