Thread by @donath_anna

HU opposition temporarily blocks Orban’s attempt to seize unchecked power using #COVIDー19 epidemics as an excuse. While we all agree that triggering a #StateOfEmergency in such a crisis makes sense, there's no need to give unchecked power to the gvt for an unlimited period! 1/6

While the gvt asks everyone's cooperation in this time of crisis, it attempts to have the opposition approve a bill that would lock out not only opposition MPs but the entire Parliament from decision-making, depriving the country of any kind of parliamentary oversight. 2/6

Such a move not only gravely threatens the very essence of the #RuleOfLaw, it is also ineffective, as threatening journalists with jail sentences, creating an unprecedented level of self-censorship, undermining the free flow of information hardly helps fighting #COVIDー19. 3/6

Nowhere in the EU has any gvt attempted such a drastic deviation from the normal constitutional order.

And it's not over as Fidesz supermajority can still push it though next week using its 2/3 majority (in today's extraordinary vote a 4/5 majority would have been needed.) 4/6

The next days will be crucial: we must reach out to Fidesz MPs & make them realize the stakes of next week's historic vote.

It's time that the gvt leaves tactics & power play and fully focuses on fighting the virus, using all the expertise & capacity the country can offer. 5/6

Gvt introduced a bill to indefinitely prolong the state of emergency initially called for 2 weeks. Gvt would rule by decree, decide when Parliament convenes next, actions deemed to hinder fight vs #COVID19 and spread of #disinfo would be punishable by 5 yrs jail sentence.
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