Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared a state of emergency immediately after his new government was sworn in on Tuesday. The special legal order takes effect at 12 midnight on May 24.

 

Orban said that the state of emergency will allow the government to use "all tools of the state" and "react immediately" to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

 

"The world is on the brink of an economic crisis," he said, reiterating that Hungary must stay out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the government must protect the financial security of families.

 

Earlier on Tuesday, Hungary's Parliament amended the country's constitution to enable the government to introduce a special legal order and declare a state of emergency in case of an armed conflict, war or humanitarian disaster in a neighboring country.

 

The legislation was approved with 136 votes for and 36 against.

 

The amended constitution enables the government to suspend some laws or deviate from their stipulations to ensure the security of residents and their assets, as well as the stability of the national economy.

 

The Constitutional Court, if requested, must review the measures taken by the government.