On Wednesday, the Hungarian parliament voted to extend the state of war emergency until November, thus allowing the government to act without parliamentary approval in order to react quickly to the economic crisis and the inflow of refugees from Ukraine.
Parliament first approved the war emergency on May 25, at which time Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said “this war constitutes a permanent danger to Hungary, putting at risk our physical security and endangering the energy supply and material safety of our economy and families.”
“Hungary must stay out of the war in Ukraine, in the eastern neighborhood. At the same time, it must be taken into account that the humanitarian and economic effects of the war will also affect Hungary,” Justice Minister Judit Varga said during the debate in parliament.
She indicated that the government will continue to ensure that the Hungarian people and families do not suffer the consequences of the war, and immediate action was needed; this is why the government declared a state of emergency on May 25.
She said that the government was now proposing to extend the regulations within the special legal order to ensure Hungary has all the necessary means to provide help, support, housing and work to those fleeing the armed conflict; the extension will also make sure Hungary avoids any harmful economic consequences of the war.
The minister pointed out that with the bill, the government could legally maintain its emergency measures until Nov. 1, but should the situation allow, the cabinet will initiate an end to the emergency sooner.
Varga stressed that the government is working to keep the lives of the country’s citizens as normal as possible, despite the war next door and the European economic crisis caused by the often erroneous EU sanctions in response to the war.
She said the government’s primary aim is to protect Hungarian families, pensions, jobs, utility price cuts, and family benefits. The head of the ministry emphasized that the emergency measures are being taken by the government in accordance with the principles of necessity, proportionality, and purpose.
The bill was approved with 116 yes votes, with 43 voting no against it.
