Operation Starve and Strangle: Hungary’s proposed “Transparency” Law threatens core European democratic values and attacks independent civil society and media organisations

Under the bill, submitted on 13 May by a member of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, a broad range of independent non-profit civic and for-profit media organisations could be blacklisted and deprived of resources under the pretext of combating foreign influence. At the proposal of the Sovereignty Protection Office, the government could designate any legal entity as an organisation whose activities to influence public life pose a threat to Hungary’s sovereignty. These activities are those that are funded from outside of Hungary, including from other EU member states or EU institutions, and which “violate, or portray in a negative manner, or support action against the values defined” in politically cherry-picked sections of Hungary’s constitution. 

The proposed legislation was not opened to public consultation and is expected to be adopted in the coming weeks. It will enter into force three days after its promulgation. 

If adopted, the law would create a system of blockages modelled on anti-money laundering measures that would effectively starve of revenue civil society organisations, independent media outlets, and companies that engage in public discourse or challenge the government’s narratives. Also, it would exclude them from a domestic tax donation scheme as well as make online donations and subscription schemes excessively cumbersome. 

“The law represents a full-on attack on participation in public life and makes clear that Prime Minister Orbán’s government sees independent organisations promoting rights, government accountability and democratic values as its enemies,” said Márta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. “If it serves the government’s interests, they won’t hesitate to try and silence critical voices.”  

However, the majority of people in Hungary do care about truth, justice and solidarity. Amid growing pressure, independent journalism and civil society are working tirelessly to protect the rights of the vulnerable, shed light on social injustices, and promote democratic values. These voices are not enemies of the state; they are its lifeline. The government’s efforts to suppress them are not about protecting sovereignty; they are about preserving its own grip on power through fear, misinformation and division – a trajectory that is frighteningly like what we have seen unfold in Putin’s Russia. 

“If this bill passes, it will not simply marginalise Hungary’s independent voices—it will extinguish them,” Pardavi warned. “And with us, the last domestic checks and obstacles on the misuse of EU funds, the spread of disinformation and the erosion of democratic norms and fundamental rights will be gone. There will be no one left to track how European taxpayers’ money is spent or how politically sensitive cases are handled by a supposedly independent judiciary. There will be no voices to warn you when tools of repression are created, sharpened, and tested.” 

She added: “The consequences reverberate beyond Hungary’s borders and are already spreading. This model of illiberal repression is designed to be exported. The European Union must act decisively before this anti-democratic playbook becomes the new norm.” 

We stay committed to our mission. Hungary is our home. We do not require government permission to serve the public good, speak the truth, defend justice, or take part in shaping our society.  

We ask citizens in Hungary and across Europe to stand with us in protecting democracy.  

We also call on the European Commission to take legal action against the law, use its powers to seek interim measures from the EU Court of Justice in the ongoing lawsuit related to the 2023 sovereignty protection law, and to ensure full respect for the Court’s earlier judgment in the Hungarian LexNGO case.

The unofficial English translation of the bill is available here.