Shocking: Planned new law could see dual nationals forced out of Hungary!
The Hungarian government is preparing a new amendment to the Hungarian constitution that could have a major impact on dual nationals living in Hungary. The new legislation would allow the expulsion of people who also hold the nationality of another country in certain cases. Fidesz says this is necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty and public order.
The leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group, Máté Kocsis, said that in recent years foreign powers have increasingly tried to influence Hungary. According to him, this process has taken place not only through political actors, but also through NGOs, independent media and various forms of financial aid.
According to Index, Kocsis stressed that the government intends to take action against these attempts to influence Hungary, and one of the means of doing so will be to amend the Fundamental Law. Other measures are also planned, such as extending the powers of the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty and stricter financial controls on foreign-funded organisations.
Political corruption and international examples
The politician also referred to political corruption scandals in the United States and drew parallels with the situation in Hungary. He said that big powers often use methods to gain financial and political influence in a country. Máté Kocsis specifically mentioned the US ambassador David Pressman, who he considers to be a link in Hungary for such a network.
The government has not only prioritised the fight against foreign influence, but also plans to tighten up in other areas. Máté Kocsis spoke of an “Easter clean-up” in which Fidesz would use a government commissioner to reveal the financial support Hungary has received from abroad.
As a first step in the ‘clean-up’, the recently announced draft law states that if a dual national’s activities endanger Hungary’s security, the authorities can expel him or her from the country. Although the exact details are not yet known, the government says the aim is to prevent attempts to influence foreigners.
The Fidesz party also criticised its political opponents, with Máté Kocsis saying in an interview with Mandiner that Péter Magyar, the leader of the recently formed Tisza party, was using foreign funds to finance his political activities and that pro-war, pro-gender and pro-migration ideas were being introduced into Hungarian public life.
What might this mean for foreigners living in Hungary?
Although the bill mainly concerns dual nationals, its impact could be felt more widely. If adopted, the amendment would give the Hungarian government greater legal leeway to deport certain individuals on the grounds of national security.
For foreigners in Hungary, this may mean keeping an eye on political changes, especially if they are involved in civic or political activities in the country. It may also be important for them to be aware of their legal status in terms of residence and citizenship, as the new legislation may affect their status in the future.
As we wrote earlier, many guest workers leave Hungary to work in other countries, prompting PM Orbán to introduce stricter measures, read details HERE.
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