Hungarian ruling alliance proposes stricter disciplinary rules for renitent MPs

The ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrats alliance has proposed stricter disciplinary rules for MPs violating the order of parliamentary sessions, group leader Máté Kocsis said on Wednesday.

Kocsis told a press conference that some of the “wilder” opposition MPs had recently committed “unprecedentedly boorish acts” in parliament, such as preventing the chairman of the session to occupy his seat and disturbing the session. He also referred to independent MP Ákos Hadházy recently holding up a sign showing rude words in parliament.

He proposed raising the maximum fine applicable if an MP disturbs the peace of a session by 12-fold, to four times of the monthly salary. However, preventing the chairman of the session from carrying out his duties could result in a fine equalling six months’ salary or optionally 12 months’, he added.

In line with the proposal, MPs who “notoriously” refuse to keep their temper under control and disturb sessions by shouting, such as Tímea Szabó and Bence Tordai of Párbeszéd and Gergely Arató and Ágnes Vadai of DK, could be subjected to fines equalling half month or one month salary, he added.

The proposal includes restrictions on MPs’ right to enter state offices “waving their IDs, with the purpose of provocation”, he said.

It will remain mandatory for state bodies to help lawmakers fulfil their duties but the lawmakers will be expected to indicate in advance that they request information from state bodies or public institutions, he added.