The law on the effort to contain the coronavirus is democratic, Justice Minister Judit Varga told the German national public service television broadcaster ARD.

Parliament can revoke the authorisation granted to the government at any time which is “unique in Europe,” the Minister said, adding that legislature will decide on the termination of the state of danger declared due to the coronavirus epidemic as well. In the news report shown on ARD’s news programme Tagesschau, Tímea Szabó, head of Párbeszéd’s parliamentary group was also interviewed. She underlined that in the past ten years the government had always used its power to drain democracy and rule of law. There is a need for a guarantee that they will not do so again on the pretence of the containment of the epidemic, the opposition politician said.

On Monday, Parliament passed the law on the effort to contain the coronavirus epidemic which allows the government to adopt extraordinary measures in departure from the laws in force in the interest of people’s health, legal security and the stability of the economy. Parliament voted for provisions of Ms. Varga’s proposal requiring a two-thirds majority with 137 votes for and 53 against in an urgent procedure. The law contains specific rules related to the state of danger declared due to the coronavirus epidemic.

(Ministry of Justice/MTI)