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| Hungary education law: EU to take legal action amid university row | Hungary education law: EU to take legal action amid university row |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The EU is taking legal action against Hungary over an education law that could close a prestigious university founded by billionaire George Soros. | The EU is taking legal action against Hungary over an education law that could close a prestigious university founded by billionaire George Soros. |
| EU Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said the law was not compatible with academic freedoms. | EU Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said the law was not compatible with academic freedoms. |
| Prime Minister Viktor Orban addressed the European parliament in response, condemning Mr Soros as an "American financial speculator". | |
| The law has led to some of the biggest protests since Mr Orban came to power. | |
| Thousands have rallied in a number of demonstrations since it was pushed through parliament earlier this month. | |
| Mr Orban continued his attack on Mr Soros by saying the Hungarian-born investor had "destroyed the lives of millions" - an allegation Mr Orban has not responded to. | |
| The latest feud between Hungary and the EU marks a new low in the tense relations between Brussels and Budapest over the government's rights record. | |
| His government's Higher Education Act means the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest would be unable to award diplomas because it is registered in the US. | |
| Based on an "in depth assessment", the European Commission found the law was not compatible with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights on the following: | |
| The EU is sending a letter of formal notice to the Hungarian government. | |
| "There is time for the Hungarian authorities to react and then following reactions, the commission will decide on the next steps," Mr Dombrovskis said. | "There is time for the Hungarian authorities to react and then following reactions, the commission will decide on the next steps," Mr Dombrovskis said. |
| Once the commission receives Hungary's response, it can then decide whether to refer them to the European Court of Justice. | Once the commission receives Hungary's response, it can then decide whether to refer them to the European Court of Justice. |
| The CEU is considered a beacon of liberal values and is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in eight disciplines. | |
| Hungary has also been criticised for its treatment of asylum seekers. An outcry arose last month when the authorities approved a law to detain them in secured shipping containers. | |
| There is also concern over a proposal to tighten rules on NGOs, requiring them to register with the authorities if they receive an annual foreign income of at least 7.2m forint (£19,240; $24,700). | There is also concern over a proposal to tighten rules on NGOs, requiring them to register with the authorities if they receive an annual foreign income of at least 7.2m forint (£19,240; $24,700). |
| On Saturday, the European Peoples Party bloc in the European Parliament, to which Mr Orban's Fidesz party belongs, will decide whether or not to expel Fidesz. | |
| Mr Orban said his government remained committed to the EU but wanted far-reaching reforms. | |
| The Central European University | The Central European University |
| Hungary passes bill targeting Central European University | Hungary passes bill targeting Central European University |
| Hungarian attack on George Soros prompts NGO anger | Hungarian attack on George Soros prompts NGO anger |
| The university built to defend democracy | The university built to defend democracy |