EU files lawsuit against Hungary with top court over country's sovereignty protection law

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The European Commission (EC) filed a lawsuit against Hungary with the EU Court of Justice on Thursday, alleging that the country's sovereignty protection law violates the EU law.

“Today, the European Commission decided to refer Hungary (INFR(2024)2001) to the Court of Justice because it considers its national law on the 'Defence of Sovereignty' to be in breach of EU law,” the EC said in a statement.

It said: “This national law establishes an 'Office for the Defence of Sovereignty', tasked with investigating specific activities said to be carried out in the interest of another State or a foreign body, organisation or natural person, allegedly liable to violate or jeopardise the sovereignty of Hungary; and organisations whose activities using foreign funding allegedly influence the outcome of elections or the will of voters.”

In February 2024, the EC sent a letter of formal notice to Hungary raising its concerns.

Hungary's response to its letter of formal notice was unsatisfactory, the statement said, adding that the EC issued a reasoned opinion in May 2024, reiterating the grievances regarding the violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Internal Market Fundamental Freedoms, and EU Data Protection legislation.

In response to this reasoned opinion, Hungary claimed that the “Law on the Defence of Sovereignty” does not infringe the EU Law and that the concerns raised were unfounded.

"After carefully assessing the reply of the Hungarian authorities, the Commission maintains most of the grievances identified, which have still not been addressed," said the statement.

The EU has been criticizing Hungary for some time, claiming that it is deteriorating in principles such as democracy and the rule of law.

The procedure initiated by the EU on the grounds of "violation of Union law" resulted in the freezing of a large portion of Hungary's common budget.

Hungary is also criticized for not adhering to the EU's common foreign policy due to its relations with Russia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Moscow on the fifth day of his country's EU presidency, which began on July 1.

The visit escalated tensions.