Kovács said that the German government had not consulted its Hungarian counterpart or the Hungarian embassy in Berlin before voicing its concerns, while Hungary is “ready to answer questions”.

Kovács insisted that the amendment, which was passed on Tuesday and which its opponents see as being targeted against Budapest’s Central European University, was actually designed to eliminate irregularities and “remove unjustified advantages to a higher education facility in Hungary to the detriment of all others.”

The amended law has no stipulations that are impossible to meet, Kovács insisted. He also suggested that under Germany’s education rules a “Soros university” may not be granted a licence.

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

MTI photo: Bruzák Noémi