Economy
Hungary Supreme Court validates Socialist Party referendum question on no-work Sunday
There was a scandal in mid-February this year at the NVB headquarters when a former Socialist Party (MSZP) lawmaker, István Nyakó, was effectively blocked by a 15-20-strong group of heavy-setindividuals distinctly lacking hair on their head from presenting a referendum question on time about the unpopular government measure that bans most stores from opening on Sundays.
The Curia ruled in early March that the burly bald men were assisting "Mrs. Erdősi", the wife of a former Fidesz mayor, in her submission of a referendum to support the law, moments before Nyakóʼs submission in opposition to the law. Although it was never proven whether Erdősi and the men were co-operating with each other, a photo by local news portal origo.hu showed that the very same document submitted by Mrs. Erdősi was held by at least one of the heavy-set men.
According to law, the election office may deal with one proposed referendum at a time on a particular issue and on a first come first served basis only the fastest competitor’s question may be submitted for inspection.
This was the third time the Socialist Party’s attempt to submit a referendum question about the Sunday shopping ban was thwarted, although it was never blocked physically before like it was this time.
It is not in the government’s interest to allow a referendum on the matter since more than two thirds of the population oppose the measure. A representative survey by local pollster Ipsos showed in early December that 68% of adults in Hungary were against the measure that restricts retailers over 200 square metres from opening on Sundays, with a few exceptions.
The ruling by the Curia means that the Socialist Party may now start to collect signatures for the referendum and no additional question will need to be submitted to the NVB.
Nyakó’s question is this: Do you agree that Parliament needs to abolish Act CII of 2014 on the ban of Sunday work in the retail sector?
The Curia ruled in early March that the burly bald men were assisting "Mrs. Erdősi", the wife of a former Fidesz mayor, in her submission of a referendum to support the law, moments before Nyakóʼs submission in opposition to the law. Although it was never proven whether Erdősi and the men were co-operating with each other, a photo by local news portal origo.hu showed that the very same document submitted by Mrs. Erdősi was held by at least one of the heavy-set men.
According to law, the election office may deal with one proposed referendum at a time on a particular issue and on a first come first served basis only the fastest competitor’s question may be submitted for inspection.
This was the third time the Socialist Party’s attempt to submit a referendum question about the Sunday shopping ban was thwarted, although it was never blocked physically before like it was this time.
It is not in the government’s interest to allow a referendum on the matter since more than two thirds of the population oppose the measure. A representative survey by local pollster Ipsos showed in early December that 68% of adults in Hungary were against the measure that restricts retailers over 200 square metres from opening on Sundays, with a few exceptions.
The ruling by the Curia means that the Socialist Party may now start to collect signatures for the referendum and no additional question will need to be submitted to the NVB.
Nyakó’s question is this: Do you agree that Parliament needs to abolish Act CII of 2014 on the ban of Sunday work in the retail sector?
