Hungary has approved a new law that could force a university founded by financier George Soros out of the country despite protests against the plan in Budapest and condemnation abroad.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a critic of liberal civil organisations funded by Soros, said last week that the Central European University (CEU) had violated regulations in awarding diplomas, an allegation the college rejects.
The law, which the government says is designed to address the administrative shortcomings of foreign universities, marks the latest clampdown on independent institutions that has seen Orban allies increase their influence over the judiciary, the media and the central bank.
US and European leaders have spoken out in defence of the university and of academic freedom in general.
After the law was passed in parliament, thousands of students, professors and civilians held a rally, surrounding the central blocks in downtown Budapest that are also home to the headquarters of the CEU.
Protesters shouted “Free country, free university” and held up banners saying “Veto”, referring to the new legislation.
Orban’s human affairs minister told parliament earlier that institutions backed by Soros were trying to undermine the government.
“The organisations of George Soros operating in Hungary and around the world are just such pseudo-civilian agents, and we are committed to stamping out such activity,” Zoltan Balog said.
The CEU, founded in Budapest in 1991, has 1,400 students.
It said it operated lawfully.
The school will challenge the law’s constitutionality and mount an international campaign to convince Orban’s government to reverse course, CEU rector Michael Ignatieff told a press conference.
Ignatieff spoke from Washington, DC, where he is meeting lawmakers and government members, including Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Shannon.
“We will respectfully ask the president of Hungary to exercise his constitutional responsibility (regarding) the legislation,” he said. “In the fight to save CEU we are fighting for the academic freedom of all Hungarian institutions of higher learning.”
The new law sets several requirements that could force the CEU to leave Hungary.
Under the law, foreign universities must have campuses in Budapest and their home country.
The CEU operates in Budapest but is the only international college with no overseas branch.
Foreign universities can henceforth only award degrees in Hungary if its government and, in the CEU’s case, the United States sign an accord on the matter within six months of the law taking effect.