Tamas Lanczi: We Distinguish Between Genuine Civil and Political Pressure Organizations

According to the head of Hungary's Sovereignty Protection Office, the recent USAID scandal has given new momentum to the work of uncovering pressure networks.

The president of the Office highlighted that the laws of many countries distinguish between civil and foreign-funded political organizations. They are referred to by various names; 

in the United States, for example, those acting on behalf of foreign entities are called foreign agents.

"We have proposed that those engaged in public activities, i.e., political pressure, and those who are genuine civil organizations, should be distinguished from each other," he stated, adding that these organizations should be made accountable.

USAID scandal reaches Hungary

Regarding the scandal involving the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), he stated that USAID is not actually a relief organization and never was intended to be. This is supported by the fact that Samantha Power, the former head of USAID, recently admitted that dismantling the agency would be a huge blow to American national security.

Lanczi pointed out that, 

according to currently available information, USAID has directly funded more than a hundred organizations in Hungary, with others receiving funds indirectly. The uncovering of these funding channels is now underway, 

he emphasized.

After 1990, it quickly became clear that George Soros was not a goodwill ambassador

 The president of the Sovereignty Protection Office also mentioned that in the 1980s, the interests of the Hungarian democratic opposition and George Soros roughly coincided, which could be summarized as "Soviets get out of the country."

However, after the regime change, their paths diverged because forces interested in Hungarian sovereignty recognized that after the Soviets' departure, Soros was establishing a new form of oppression with his organizations.

Strengthening sovereignty protection laws

Lanczi emphasized the need to strengthen the protection of Hungary's sovereignty. As part of this, beyond separating civil and foreign-funded political pressure organizations, these organizations must be compelled to disclose data they currently conceal from the Hungarian public. He believes that the strict regulations applicable to political parties should serve as a basis, and loopholes allowing foreign interest groups to finance activities influencing Hungarian public life should be eliminated. The Office has made proposals to this effect to Hungarian decision-makers, he emphasized.

Brussels is conducting a show trial against Hungary

He explained that it is quite self-revealing that while the Sovereignty Protection Law was not even adopted yet, so the European Union could not have seen the final text, yet their official letter, the complaint, based on which Brussels attacked Hungary, was already drafted.

Nevertheless, he continued, as the president of the Office, he has sought to engage in dialogue with everyone, be it the Venice Commission or ambassadors from other countries. He has responded to their comments, concerns, and veiled threats.

However, Brussels is conducting a show trial against our country, 

Tamas Lanczi said. He added that 

Hungarian sovereignty must not be compromised.