The United States on Wednesday condemned Hungary’s “protection of national sovereignty” law, calling it “incompatible with the rule of law,” AFP reported.

Last week, Hungary’s parliament passed a series of measures to create a watchdog tasked with preventing “foreign interference” in the election process, with associated prison terms.

This legislative package, aimed at “protecting the sovereignty” of the country, is seen by critics of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a new offensive aimed at suppressing the opposition, checks and balances.

A specialized body prescribed in the Constitution will be created. It will have the mission of “identifying and investigating organizations that receive money from abroad” with the aim of “influencing the choice of voters.”

Mate Kocsis, leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group, explained in November that “this law closes the door to any form of election fraud and provides for up to three years in prison for those who use foreign campaign funds.”

“The United States is concerned about the Hungarian government’s decision today to pass a new law that gives it draconian tools to use to intimidate and punish those whose views do not share the ruling Fidesz party,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. in the application.

“This new law is incompatible with our shared values ​​of democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law,” he added.

The government, which regularly accuses Brussels and “various organizations” of “distributing billions of euros” from the opposition, is thus strengthening its arsenal ahead of municipal and European elections due in June 2024. The creation of such a body has been widely criticized in recent weeks.

Several human rights NGOs, including Amnesty International, condemned the Hungarian government’s intention to “silence critical voices” by passing the law.

In late November, the Council of Europe expressed concern about the “risk” to human rights, calling on Hungary to back down.