Orbán rejects criticism of university law

brussels - Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán contends that the contested university act is in violation of European legislation. 'Unfunded,' he said Wednesday during a debate in the European Parliament, where he was compared with 'dictators' like Russian and Turkish presidents Putin and Erdogan.

The European Commission judged earlier on the day that the law violated the right to education, academic freedom and freedom of establishment and began a legal process. Hungary receives a month for a formal response.

The law threatens to close the respected Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. It was founded in 1991 by the Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros.

Orbán called Soros a 'financial speculator' and said that this 'enemy of the euro' has destroyed the lives of millions of Europeans. According to him, the law is only meant to equalize the rules for all higher education institutions 'no matter how powerful the owner is'.

Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for fundamental rights, said that the opinion of the committee was based on facts. He named the CEU 'the pearl in the crown' of the Europe of after 1989.

Timmermans also provided a list of inaccuracies in a national consultation entitled 'Stop Brussels' spread by the Hungarian government this month. Orbán said the questionnaire is a 'creative way' to restore citizens' confidence in the EU. According to him, Hungary is behind the EU, although he is 'unhappy' with many aspects. He wants to 'correct' it.

Many parliamentarians pointed to problems in Hungary about the freedom of the press, the independence of judges and the dealings with migrants. Many of them want to initiate a procedure that will allow the country to lose its voting rights in the EU. Manfred Weber, Group President of the European People's Party, of which Orbán Fidesz is a party, was critical, but does not say goodbye to Fidesz for the time being. Next month, Parliament will vote on a resolution on Hungary.