Hungary passes 'sovereignty' law as Orban steps up campaign

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the European Union leaders summit, in Brussels, Belgium October 26, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's parliament passed a law in parliament on "protecting national sovereignty" on Tuesday to defend against what the ruling Fidesz party called undue political interference by foreign persons or groups.

The legislation came as nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has clashed repeatedly with the European Union over democratic rights in Hungary, has stepped up his party's campaign ahead of European Parliament elections next June. Orban has threatened to veto EU aid to Ukraine and opposes the start of EU membership talks with Ukraine at a summit in Brussels this week.