“The world is on the brink of an economic crisis. Hungary must stay out of this war and protect the financial security of its families,” said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. To alleviate the global economic crisis that is coming due to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the Head of State declared a state of emergency on May 24, reports Le Figaro.
Approved by Parliament the same day, the measure took effect at midnight and grants the government “room for maneuver and the ability to react immediately” to the consequences of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, according to a video message from the Prime Minister posted on his Facebook page. “The government, exercising its right under the Basic Law, is declaring a state of war emergency from midnight,” he said.
The Hungarian Prime Minister, who won a fourth consecutive mandate in the elections of 3rd April last, has already made use of this type of measure in the past: once due to the migration crisis in Europe, and a second time during the Covid-19 pandemic. The new state of emergency also allows his government to adopt directives by decree.
“The world is on the brink of an economic crisis”, argued the head of government in his video message, reiterating that Hungary had to stay out of the conflict in Ukraine and “protect the financial security of families”.
With Budapest facing annual inflation of 9.5% and a budget deficit that exploded in the first quarter, the state of emergency would aim to prevent a serious slowdown in the economy.