Hungarian Parliament abolishes Sovereignty Protection Office

The Hungarian National Assembly voted 135‑44‑6 to repeal the Sovereignty Protection Office, a body created in February 2024 by the Orbán government to monitor foreign‑funded NGOs and media. The law, proposed by Tisza‑party MP Márton Melléthei‑Barna, declares that the office performed no genuine public function and was established solely for political purposes. Effective 15 days after publication, the office will be merged into the Ministry of Justice, which will not continue its activities. Its director Tamás Lánczi and deputies lose their mandates, receive no severance pay and must file asset disclosures within the transition period. All staff contracts will be terminated, and the ministry will handle the remaining administrative matters. The reform is presented by supporters as a step to restore genuine institutional sovereignty, while critics view it as a politically motivated dismantling of a controversial watchdog.