Lawmakers have approved an amendment that authorises the government to prolong the state of emergency in connection with the war in Ukraine until November 19. The motion passed with 135 votes in favor and 47 against. According to the bill submitted by the justice minister, the law is aimed at managing the fallout of the war and the humanitarian disaster in Hungary. The government first declared a state of emergency in connection with the war in neighboring Ukraine in May 2022, and MPs have voted to extend it several times.
Lawmakers also voted to approve a law on a cooperation agreement on a civilian state of emergency between Hungary and Turkey. The law was approved unanimously with 182 votes in favor. The agreement signed between the Hungarian and Turkish governments last December will boost bilateral cooperation on civilian states of emergency. The agreement lays down the general framework for cooperation in the prevention of civilian emergencies, preparation for and response to them, as well as the conditions and rules of procedure for voluntary assistance. According to the bill’s justification, the agreement serves the further advancement of Hungarian-Turkish relations.