Monthly newsletter Hungary – April 2022
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In the course of the elections to the Hungarian National Assembly on April 3, the governing parties Fidesz-KDNP were able to win 135 of 199 parliamentary seats and thus not only secured their two-thirds majority, but even increased it by two seats. The united opposition can send 56 representatives, the right-wing extremist Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) has seven mandates. The state self-government of the Hungarian-Germans has a representative in parliament, Imre Ritter.
End of the Corona measures
Since March 7, 2022, all special Corona regulations have been lifted in Hungary. All protective measures have been lifted and masks are no longer required (with the exception of health facilities and retirement homes). Accordingly, the entry regulation has also expired. Hungary had already abolished most of the measures to contain the corona pandemic last early summer. At that time, the entry restrictions were removed with a few exceptions, as was the 3G rule for restaurants and leisure activities. Contrary to the Corona waves last autumn and winter, Hungary had not decided on any far-reaching measures restricting freedom. Deaths associated with the coronavirus have reached a peak since the beginning of the year in mid-February, with around 100 people dying of or with the virus every day. Since then, the number of deaths and registered new infections have decreased; at the beginning of April, the 7-day average number of deaths was 24.
Refugees from Ukraine
According to Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, over 500,000 people from Ukraine had crossed Hungary's national borders by the end of March. It is estimated that around 90% of refugees are women, children or elderly people. So far, the majority of refugees have only stayed in Hungary for a few days before continuing their journey west. However, there has now been a steady decline in the number of “transients” and more and more people intend to stay longer in Hungary. As of March 29, almost 8,600 Ukrainians had applied for temporary protection status in Hungary, which grants them the right to housing, education and work. Companies can receive 60,000 forints per month for employing Ukrainian workers with recognized protection status. At least half of this amount must be used for accommodation or food for the employed refugees; those who also have children receive an additional 12,000 forints per child. Employers must also provide appropriate accommodation for minor family members.
European Parliament initiates rule of law mechanism against Hungary
Rule of law proceedings against Hungary have been formally initiated, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in the European Parliament on April 5, 2022. The European Parliament has been insisting for some time that the Commission should initiate the procedure. In mid-February, the ECJ dismissed a lawsuit brought by Hungary and Poland against the rule of law mechanism. EU payments may be suspended for the duration of the procedure or funds may be recovered if systematic abuse in the use of EU funds is detected. The funds from the Covid reconstruction fund for Poland and Hungary are currently frozen. “In Hungary, we have made ourselves very clear, the problem is corruption,” said von der Leyen in the EP. The Hungarians' answers to the Commission's questions so far have been examined and it has been concluded that the next step is necessary, said von der Leyen.
For an actual cut in EU funds, the consent of at least 15 EU states with 65 percent of the EU population is required. Before that, the Hungarian government can comment on the allegations.
To the source:
The German-Hungarian Institute for European Cooperation is intended to provide a forum for academic, scientific and political dialogue between Germany and Hungary and to familiarize decision-makers and interested specialist audiences from both countries with topics, debates, processes, thought patterns and ideas from the other country. The aim is to achieve greater understanding, communication and constructive cooperation by objectifying the German-Hungarian discourse and thus renew our Europe together.
We would like to support this goal and publish excerpts with the kind permission of the authors. The complete issue can be found here as a PDF. The institute's website you can reach here.
