Parliament prolongs state of emergency in Hungary

MPs also assented to prolonging the government’s state of emergency for another 180 days, from 18 May 18 to 14 November, with 131 votes for and 45 against.

The war and humanitarian disaster in Ukraine, and their consequences for Hungary in terms of refugees, the economy and energy issues, are the reasons stated for the measure that applies to Hungary’s entire territory.

Based on the constitution, the government must terminate the state of emergency if the conditions which justified the declaration no longer exist. “Since the armed conflict and humanitarian disaster in Ukraine and their consequences in Hungary have not changed in the recent period, the extension of the state of emergency is justified,” according to the regulation.

Parliament also promulgated a legal aid agreement between Hungary and Serbia. The agreement replaces another accord made between Hungary and the former Yugoslavia in 1969. Under the agreement, the two countries will mutually provide legal aid to each other’s citizens and ensure communication between authorities of the other country. The agreement also contains rules for language use and regulations concerning the authorisation of documents.