The authority welcomed the ruling Fidesz party’s move to bring transparency to the operation of NGOs in Hungary. “It is a useful tool to avoid unwanted influence by interest groups”, NAIH head Attila Péterfalvi said.

However, the legislation should be broadened to include organisations and political groups supported by business lobbyists from entities both within Hungary and abroad, according to the letter sent to Gergely Gulyás, deputy speaker of parliament and one of the bill’s proponents.

He noted the bill’s justification that foreign interest groups could influence Hungary’s political and social life. Matters affecting the country’s sovereignty are also issues of national security, he said.

Furthermore, financial flows linked to organisations funded from abroad deserve public scrutiny in terms of the fight against money laundering, he added.

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