We won an important battle: the Hungarian Parliament postponed the vote on its law against independent civil society and media at least until autumn! This incredibly dark-age proposal is off the table – for now.
In recent weeks, millions of people have heard about the draft proposal, which was condemned by three-quarters of the population and was not even particularly popular with supporters of the ruling party. There were daily demonstrations using creative tools of resistance, tens of thousands of people were mobilised countrywide.
In addition to that, the Hungarian Bar Association and the Hungarian Association of Judges stood against the draft proposal because it severely violates principles of rule of law, the Hungarian Advertising Association warned against its effect on media space, and the Hungarian Trade Union Confederation condemned it, too. Many people across Europe have shown solidarity and the European Commission has called on the government to withdraw the proposal.
It is still unclear what comes next in autumn. In the meantime, Hungarian CSOs keep advocating against the proposal, because the goals of the ever more authoritarian regime have not changed. Whatever version of the draft reappears, we will continue to work together for a democratic, just and inclusive country.