Parliament passes amendment on political billboards undermining Jobbik’s ongoing campaign

Parliament on Friday passed an amendment tightening regulations on political billboard advertising, replacing a law previously passed by parliament banning political billboard ads outside campaign periods that President Janos Áder had returned to lawmakers for reconsideration.

The amendment on the protection of cityscapes which only needed a simple majority to pass was approved with 123 votes in favour and 68 against. 

The amendments in the law stipulate that organisations that receive direct or indirect budgetary support must pay the listed market price for political billboard adverts. Further, contracts on placing such adverts must be submitted to the relevant authority to be published on its website. The authority is charged with removing any ads placed unlawfully within two days.

The amended legislation applies EU standard public procurement rules in the case of any negotiation over listed market prices for outdoor advertising.

Under the law, a fine of 150,000 forints (EUR 485) will be levied for unlawful placement per billboard. The new regulation also covers ads placed on public transport vehicles.

The original bill on the financing of political ad campaigns failed last week due to the lack of a two-thirds majority. Parts of the law were then approved with a simple majority. President Áder returned this law to parliament.