Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, issued a statement on Tuesday in response to recent measures Hungary has taken to further consolidate power in the hands of its prime minister, Viktor Orbán. While not calling out Hungary by name, the statement from the EU leader condemns exploiting emergency situations to undermine democratic principles.

“Any emergency measures must be limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate,” von der Leyen wrote. “They must not last indefinitely. Moreover, governments must make sure that such measures are subject to regular scrutiny.”

On Monday, Hungary’s parliament granted extensive powers to Orbán that appeared to lack such limitations. Among other measures, Monday’s bill postponed elections and referendums until the coronavirus emergency declaration was lifted, and it placed the power to legislate by decree in the hands of the prime minister.

Referencing the EU’s governing agreements, von der Leyen said Tuesday that “[i]t is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values as set out in the Treaties.”

“The European Commission will closely monitor, in a spirit of cooperation, the application of emergency measures in all Member States,” she wrote, promising to “uphold our European values and human rights.”

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