Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, János Halász, a member of [the Hungarian] parliament representing [PM Viktor Orban's ruling party] Fidesz, tabled a bill entitled "On transparency in the public sphere," which is designed to make it extremely difficult for Hungarian organizations receiving funds from abroad to operate and exist. According to the proposal, if the Sovereignty Protection Office deems that the activities of a foreign-funded organization threaten Hungary's sovereignty, it may recommend that the government place the organization on a list.
Once on the list, the organization would no longer be able to collect 1 percent of tax donations (in Hungary it possible to specifically allocate one percent of one’s personal income tax to certain organizations and causes of one’s choosing-TN) and would be obligated to request a "fully conclusive private document" from all of its supporters and pertaining to all of its funding, stating that the money did not come from abroad.
According to the law, all money coming from abroad may be a threat to the country's sovereignty, including funds obtained through transparent tenders. This also includes EU tenders entered by organizations operating in EU member states.
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In his speech on March 15, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called NGOs critical of the government, independent journalists, and the judges who demonstrated for the independence of the judiciary and opposition politicians "bugs who have made it through winter." According to Fidesz's narrative, all of these people are funded from abroad. "We've had enough of them. Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt" (lit:Spring winds bring floodwaters – the first line of a traditional Hungarian folk song -TN), he said, adding: let the waters take them away. The scarlet letter is upon them, may their fate be shame and contempt. If there is any justice, and there is, there is a special place waiting for them in hell," the Hungarian Prime Minister said at the time, adding that "spring cleaning" will commence by Easter.
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