Hungary: Parliament passes law to allow prime minister to rule by decree

The Hungarian government passed a law on March 30 granting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the power to rule indefinitely by decree, which he said was essential to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The law also contained a provision under which those spreading false information about the pandemic could be punished with up to five years in prison. The legislation, which critics describe as shutting down democracy, comes at a time when many are concerned about the country's health service after years of restructuring.

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/30/823778208/new-law-gives-sweeping-powers-to-hungarys-orban-alarming-rights-advocates

Writer: Joanna Kakissis
Publication: NPR