Hungary's parliament endorsed a bill yesterday giving nationalist premier Viktor Orban the sweeping new powers he says he needs to fight the new coronavirus pandemic.
Critics at home and abroad have condemned the "anti-coronavirus defence law", saying it gives Mr Orban unnecessary and unlimited power and is a means of cementing his position rather than battling the virus.
After declaring a state of emergency on 11 March, the new law gives Mr Orban the power to indefinitely rule by decree until the government decides the emergency is over.
It removes the current requirement for MPs to approve any extensions to decrees. Elections cannot be held either during the emergency period.