The reason is an ad hoc law that wants to tax those who deal with migrants in the Hungarian country
Of Manuela Gatti
«You will understand that I don't start crying», ha commentato Viktor Orbán. As if there was any doubt about it.
Probably the Hungarian Prime Minister, re-elected last 8 April for the fourth term, will have celebrated at the news that the foundation of billionaire and philanthropist George Soros will close its offices in Budapest and move to Berlin over the summer. They don't confirm from the NGO, but they speak of the need to protect "the safety of the staff and the integrity of the work". President Patrick Gaspard, however, has already flown in person to the Hungarian capital to inform those around 100 dependent on the decision.
The remote battle between Orbán and Soros has been going on for some time. The casus belli that has now precipitated the situation has a rather explicit nickname: «Stop Row». This is the law that will be discussed by the Hungarian parliament next week and that the government has committed to passing which would impose a tax of 25% on all foreign donations to non-governmental organizations that support migrants in the country. Just like the «Open Society Foundations» of the American Jewish philanthropist of Hungarian origins, the third largest humanitarian organization in the world by assets (18 billions of dollars). A particularly convenient shortcut for the leader of Budapest's populist and conservative right, which in this way would be able to eliminate a good part of the enemy's activity within its national borders.
The electoral campaign which ended with his reconfirmation, Orbán has played this to a large extent by demonizing Soros and everything the tycoon represents: progressivism, internationalism, battles for human rights, education and the independence of the press. One of the most popular accusations was that the 88-year-old entrepreneur aimed to encourage immigration to destroy the nation's Christian identity. A narrative that has penetrated the fears of voters, who rewarded the Hungarian prime minister's party, Fidesz, with almost the 50% of votes. And to think that, if Orbán is what he is today, he also owes it to Soros, which financed the scholarship with which the politician studied at Oxford.
The philanthropist, whom the Hungarian government has also considered banning from entering the country, it is present in Budapest not only with its foundation, born in 1984 and today widespread in 120 States. In his hometown Soros also founded the Central European University, frequented for about 1.500 students from all over the world. Last year, thousands of people mobilized to prevent its closure, given that another law wanted by Orbán was putting a spanner in the works. The Hungarian parliament has in fact voted to make foreign universities that do not have an office in their country of origin illegal and sanction them, just like the CEU, formally American. The question still remains open, and in conjunction with the re-election of the prime minister, two weeks ago, students and teachers of the university once again found themselves demonstrating to resist government pressure.
The European Union also remains cautious regarding the probable closure of Soros' foundation in Budapest. This is a "private" decision about which "we have nothing to say at this stage", said the Commission spokeswoman, Natasha Bertaud. Brussels has already initiated infringement proceedings against Hungary regarding the rules against NGOs and against the Central European University, considering them incompatible with treaties, community norms and values. The ruling from the EU Court of Justice is now awaited.
Source: http://m.ilgiornale.it/news/2018/04/21/soros-si-arrende-a-orban-la-fondazione-e-la-ong-abbandonano-budapest/1517831/