Court Strikes Down MNB Secrecy Law

  • 1 Apr 2016 9:00 AM
Court Strikes Down MNB Secrecy Law
The Constitutional Court ruled yesterday that the legislation allowing the MNB to withhold data on the use of money by its foundations is unconstitutional. President János Áder refused to sign the bill into law earlier this month, referring the case to the Court.

The Court ruled that the MNB serves public duties and manages public money, hence it must be accountable to the public.

The amendment waved through by Parliament on March 1, one day after it was submitted, would have sealed off from the public data on the use of funds by the MNB foundations for 30 years.

The Court also ruled that the amendment violated the constitution, as it would have made the finances of foundations secret retroactively, thereby nullifying recent court rulings that the MNB must disclose the data.

The ruling implies that MNB resources can not be transferred to an organisation whose management is not transparent, Népszabadság observes.

However, the Court ruled that an amendment restricting public access to information concerning Magyar Posta is in line with the constitution.

The changes regarding the disclosure of sensitive business data are in line with the freedom of information act, the Court ruled.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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