Actual Publication
The President of the Republic rejected a new social statute
2002.12.24, Magyar Hírlap Online
President of the Republic Ferenc Mádl sent back a statute entitled ’Modifications to certain social statutes’ to Parliament for reconsideration. In his view the new regulation may have a hurtful effect on those people who wish to take their basic social supplies from religious institutions. This is the second occasion since he took office that the President does not sign a law.
According to a prior understanding the government would always consult with the President before bringing decisions that are disadvantageous for churches. This current motion from a strictly legal point of view does not fall under the legal scope of the mentioned statutes but it hurts their spirit - concludes the President in his press release. The modifications would prohibit churches from founding basic social and healthcare institutions this would only be possible in accordance with the local self-governments respectively with OEP (State Health Insurance). This way they would be subject to government’s caprice.
Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy promised a revision of the motion to historical churches but there was no time for it. -Editorial-
