The Hungarian government has once again extended the state of danger for another 180 days, until 18 May 2025. This was done by amending the law which regulates the state of danger, and which allows the government to govern by decree in case of armed conflict in a neighbouring country, as well as in case the consequences of a humanitarian disaster need to be mitigated and managed. (We previously explained the six types of special legal order defined by the Hungarian Fundamental Law and the difference between a state of emergency and a state of danger.)
As we reported when the proposal was originally made available for public consultation, the state of danger is maintained on the grounds that "the Russian-Ukrainian war going on across our borders has created a humanitarian crisis unprecedented since the Second World War and has changed the economic climate in Europe. In order to tackle the humanitarian emergency and to counter the consequences of international economic changes, our country must continue to ensure that we are able to provide an efficient and rapid response at national level".
With a few months' break, Hungary has been alternating between a state of emergency and a state of danger since March 2020 – it started during the coronavirus, with the "state of danger due to the war" in Ukraine introduced after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Before it expired, in early September, the Hungarian government once again extended the "state of emergency caused by mass immigration", which will remain in force until 7 March 2025.
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