Approval of the law was not preceded by any kind of consultation with the CEU of Hungarian professional organisations affected by it, the university funded by US financier George Soros said in a statement.

The passing of the law violates essential elements of legislative procedures adopted by democratic states, it added. The CEU said that, in its opinion, the law opposed an American institution in a discriminative manner.

At the same time, the statement said that the university was ready to negotiate with the Hungarian government.

The CEU’s rector and president, Michael Ignatieff, said, “As I indicated earlier, the CEU is ready to negotiate with the Hungarian government in order to find a solution which allows the CEU to remain in Budapest, where it has operated for the past 25 years.”

“Academic freedoms, however, are not negotiable…” the statement said.

After Áder signed the law, protesters gathered outside the presidential seat, Sándor Palace, and at the headquarters of Hungarian public radio late in the evening amid a substantial police presence.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Marjai János