In Hungary, a decree by the Orban government is causing a stir, because although a court had approved an air traffic controller strike planned for Thursday, it was banned by the government. The workers' representatives are of the opinion that Viktor Orban and his ministers would disregard court rulings.

The Hungarian Prime Minister is repeatedly in the crossfire of criticism outside of Hungary, because there have been repeated massive attacks against the rule of law and the freedom of the media. Orban's course is also considered to be hostile to the EU, but the country he runs is at the same time one of the largest net recipients of money from the many pots of the European Union. During his tenure as EU Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker even described the Hungarian politician Viktor Orban as a dictator.

“It is a declaration of bankruptcy by the Hungarian government that it overrides a judgment of the labor court with the help of a government ordinance. The verdict says that the strike planned for Thursday this week by the Hungarian air traffic controllers for better working conditions would have been legal. Judicial decisions must not be shaken, not even in Hungary, ”said Daniel Liebhart, chairman of the aviation department of the Vida union, who shows solidarity with her Hungarian colleagues.

The Orban regime also prohibited future pilot strikes in the ordinance issued by decree on Monday evening. Liebhart regards the Orban's actions as a reminder of “dictatorships of a dark past” and points out that the Hungarian government has interfered in an ongoing negotiation that is regulated by national law and international treaties and bodies. Liebhart is outraged and has announced further steps that the government has abused the legal authority granted by the Hungarian parliament in connection with the pandemic.

“If this approach catches on and is accepted, it is only a matter of time before other governments follow suit. Hungary is a constitutional state, and in a constitutional state, law must remain law. The situation is very stressful for the colleagues. Anyone who lives with the fear of being on the street tomorrow due to the sensitivities of individual powerful people cannot do their job well. In professions where far-reaching decisions have to be made in milliseconds, such a culture could have negative effects. However, an air traffic controller must always be able to make difficult decisions in unforeseen situations. The action of the Hungarian government urgently needs to be put in place at the EU level, ”said Liebhart, who hopes that the European Union will intervene quickly.