Hungary pushes ‘Stop Soros’ law to thwart billionaire
The billionaire and pro-migration campaigner will fall foul of a new bill designed to penalise pro-immigration groups
![George Soros](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a4HmZwvkkkzP9UH22uNqyB-415-80.jpg)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ultra-conservative party has set up new legislation to block immigration and undermine George Soros, the American-Hungarian billionaire whose philanthropy supports open borders in eastern Europe.
Orban’s cabinet refer to legislation introduced this week as the “Stop Soros” bill, Bloomberg says. The proposals are even tougher than the original plans unveiled in January.
The proposed law would allow the interior minister to ban non-governmental organisations that pose a “national security risk” by supporting migration, Reuters reports, and impose a 25% tax on their foreign donations. NGOs or advocacy groups who recruit volunteers or publish information booklets would need government permission or risk being fined or dissolved entirely.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Soros’s Open Society Foundations said last month that the legislation was designed to “undermine democracy by attempting to ‘criminalise’ civil society and muzzle independent voices.”
Budapest’s new bill is as much about personalities as politics, however. The prime minister and the 87-year-old Hungarian-born billionaire have been feuding since the 2015 migrant crisis, with Soros highly critical of Hungary’s treatment of refugees, The Guardian reports.
Their dispute has intensified over the last few months. Orban has accused the billionaire of ruining the lives of tens of millions of people with his currency speculation. Soros hit back in Brussels last month, calling the Hungarian government a “mafia state”. The legislation is seen by commentators as the latest salvo in an increasingly personal fight.
Orban is unlikely to back down, however.
Both Hungary and Poland have drifted toward authoritarian governments over the past year, leading to even more clashes between Orban and EU leaders eager to uphold democracy and the rule of law. But Hungary’s voters appear keen to support the anti-immigration policy. Polls show Orban’s Fidesz party is set to win a third consecutive term in the elections this April.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - July 25, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - a new forecast, an old bumper sticker, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
The EU's landmark AI Act 'rushed' out as countdown begins on compliance
The Explainer 'We will be hiring lawyers while the rest of the world is hiring coders' – Europe's warning about new AI legislation
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The growing US movement to end child marriages
Under the Radar Practice is 'surprisingly widespread' but only 12 states have so far banned it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hong Kong passes tough new security law
Speed Read It will allow the government to further suppress all forms of dissent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Where is sex before marriage illegal?
feature Indonesia is the latest country to ban sex outside of wedlock
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
New law makes all South Koreans younger
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published
-
Shamima Begum: what next after ‘Isis bride’ loses bid to regain UK citizenship?
Talking Point Lawyers say the Isis bride was victim of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation
By Arion McNicoll Last updated
-
Nobel winner thought call was about broken lawnmower
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published
-
Shaquille O'Neal joins effort to amend Australian Constitution
Speed Read
By Grayson Quay Published