Hungary’s Proposed Crackdown on Foreign-Funded Groups Sparks Widespread Condemnation

A controversial bill introduced by Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, aimed at restricting foreign-funded media outlets and civil society organizations, has drawn sharp criticism from European lawmakers, press leaders, rights groups, and the judiciary.

Hungary’s parliament began debating the draft legislation last week, which would allow the government to create a public list of organizations receiving foreign funding and give authorities the power to curb or even shut them down if deemed a threat to national culture or sovereignty. The bill, promoted by the government as a transparency measure to protect “sovereign interests,” would be enforced by the newly established Sovereignty Protection Office, a state body set up under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Critics argue the proposal mirrors repressive tactics used in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, where similar laws have been used to silence dissent. “This is an authoritarian attempt to retain power,” stated a letter signed by over 300 international organizations, including Amnesty International. The signatories warned that the bill seeks to “eliminate what remains of Hungarian democracy” and “silence all critical voices.”

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, more than 80 editors from leading European news outlets also condemned the legislation in a joint petition released Tuesday. They argued that the bill threatens the survival of a free press not only in Hungary but across Europe. “Fidesz is adopting the very same authoritarian tactics seen in Russia,” the petition read, stressing that press freedom in Hungary is now a European concern as populist leaders increasingly emulate Orbán’s model.

The Association of Hungarian Judges issued a strong rebuke, asserting that the legislation violates democratic rule of law norms, including the separation of powers and the right to legal certainty and recourse. The law is also incompatible with Hungary’s constitution, according to the statement. “These sorts of legal changes not only undermine public trust in the judiciary and its efficacy but also threaten the stability and existence of the democratic institutional system,” the group, known by the initials Mabie, said.

On the ground, the proposed legislation has sparked public outrage, with street protests breaking out and widespread opposition from Hungarian newsrooms, think tanks, and civil rights groups.

In Brussels, the backlash is reverberating through the European Union’s institutions. A group of more than two dozen Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to the European Commission on May 20, urging it to suspend EU funding to Hungary. “We urge the European Commission to increase pressure on Viktor Orbán's government to cease violating EU values and EU laws by immediately suspending all EU funding for Hungary,” the lawmakers wrote, citing the need to protect the Union’s financial interests and core principles.

Anti-corruption organization Transparency International also weighed in, warning that the bill would “end civil society” and grant the government unchecked power to “persecute with impunity.”

Hungary’s government, trailing a resurgent opposition ahead of next year’s general elections, maintains that the bill is a necessary safeguard against foreign interference. But observers say the timing and content of the legislation suggest a broader strategy to suppress political dissent and consolidate control over public discourse.

The debate surrounding the bill is set to intensify in the coming weeks, as pressure mounts both domestically and from international stakeholders to withdraw what many are calling a major setback for democratic governance in the heart of the European Union.