Hungarian Parlt votes to set up Sovereignty Protection Office

Lawmakers on Tuesday approved the law on protecting national sovereignty that paves the way for establishing the Sovereignty Protection Office.

The bill submitted by ruling party MPs was passed with 140 votes in favour and 50 against.

According to the law’s preamble, unlawful attacks against Hungary’s sovereignty are becoming increasingly common, with foreign entities attempting to gain influence in Hungary to enforce their own interests against those of Hungary. The preamble cites the millions of US dollars in campaign donations received by the left-wing opposition ahead of the 2022 general election.

The bill says that political forces dependent on foreign entities gaining power would harm Hungary’s sovereignty and pose a national security risk.

It says it is necessary to set up an independent body uncovering foreign influence operations, as well as to introduce criminal sanctions for accepting foreign campaign donations.

The Sovereignty Protection Office will be established in line with a constitutional amendment proposal approved by MPs on Tuesday (with 135 in favour, 34 against and 6 abstentions). The new autonomous state administration authority will be involved in assessment activities and making proposals.

It will be tasked with investigating organisations whose activities funded from abroad may influence the outcome of the elections.

The head of the office will be appointed by the President of the Republic at the proposal of the prime minister for a six-year term, starting on February 1, 2024.