Overview

• Introduced on May 14, the bill would create an official registry of foreign-funded organisations and empower authorities to restrict or shut them down if deemed threats to national sovereignty and culture.
• Fidesz parliamentary leader Máté Kocsis announced the debate will be postponed until parliament’s autumn session, with no vote to take place before summer.
• Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty warned that the legislation could make continuation of civil society organisations impossible without amendments.
• The proposal triggered street protests in Budapest and a petition signed by over 80 European editors calling for its withdrawal.
• Opponents view the move as part of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s broader strategy to curb media freedom and opposition ahead of 2026 elections, exacerbating EU rule-of-law disputes.