On 30 March 2020, Hungarian Parliamentary adopted a coronavirus emergency law which is giving the government and Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, large authorisation without any time limits. With the Emergency Law, Hungarian government obtained the power to accept legislative decrees, suspend the implementation of some laws, and postpone elections, as well as to introduce one to five years of jail term to those who spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic. 

In Hungary, nine civil society organisations advocating for press freedom have sent a letter to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, asking the EU to stand against the Emergency Law days before its adoption by the Parliamentary. On 31 March 2020, MEPs from different political groups in the EP wrote letters to the European Commission denouncing rule of law violations of governments in Hungary and Poland.

In Hungary, political parties in opposition stand against the Emergency Law saying that it has got no legal basis, and its main objective is to postpone elections planned to be held on 10 May.

Furthermore, in the EU, some politicians, including EU Affairs Minister of Germany, Michael Roth, and MEPs, expressed their views against the Emergency Law by highlighting that the law was undermining the fundamentals of rule of law principal. 

As known, the EP had proposed to start the process of Article 7 against Hungary in 2018. In the case of implementation of this Article concerned Member State faces some sanctions such as suspension of its vote at the European Council. 

On 31 March 2020, the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, made a press release emphasising the EU was based on values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. She stated that these values are common to all and they need to be protected and defended the most in difficult times. Von der Leyen, also referring to the urgent measures taken by the Member States, stated that governments should have the necessary tools to act quickly and effectively to protect public health, but these emergency measures should not be taken against the laws and values set in the EU founding treaties. Reminding that democracy cannot function without free and independent media, von der Leyen underlined that freedom of expression and rule of law are indispensable during these uncertain times.

Von der Leyen stated that it is important for journalists to carry out their duties with freedom and without any impediment more than ever, which is the only way for preventing disinformation. Moreover, she pointed out that emergency measures should be taken necessarily and proportionally, and should not include an indefinite period.

The European Commission will closely monitor the implementation of emergency measures in all Member States in the spirit of cooperation. "We all have to work together to overcome this crisis," said von der Leyen, emphasizing that they will continue to defend European values.