Hungary’s executive overreach erodes judicial independence The government’s use of emergency decree powers to terminate pending lawsuits by opposition-led municipalities over a solidarity tax is a stark assault on the separation of powers. By declaring administrative acts “technical” and shielding tax determinations from judicial review, the decree overrides prior court rulings and undermines the right to an effective remedy.

This tactic, ruling by decree under a prolonged state of emergency, is part of a broader pattern of democratic backsliding: constraints on assembly, civil society and independent media. Restoring rule of law requires revocation of the decree, reinstatement of judicial review, and safeguards to prevent routine use of emergency powers to settle political disputes. EU institutions must scrutinize the move as part of ongoing rule-of-law procedures.

(Human Rights Watch, Budapest Metropolitan Court)