EU infringement procedure concerning 'Stop Soros' enters second phase

The European Commission has entered its infringement procedure against Hungary concerning Hungary's "Stop Soros" laws in the next phase, the body announced on Thursday. The commission said they sent the Hungarian government a reasoned opinion, opening the second phase in the procedure. The procedure allows Hungary two months to harmonise the criticised legislation with European law, or else the commission could file a case with the Court of Justice of the European Union. "The Hungarian legislation curtails asylum applicants' right to communicate with and be assisted by relevant national, international and non-governmental organisations by criminalising support to asylum applications. This is in violation of the Asylum Procedures Directive...and the Reception Conditions Directive...." the EC said in the "reasoned opinion". Hungarian lawmakers approved the package, dubbed "Stop Soros", referring to a plan for managing the migrant crisis earlier outlined by US billionaire George Soros, in June 2018.