European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed "particular" concern on Thursday over a coronavirus emergency law in Hungary that has given nationalist premier Viktor Orban sweeping powers.
While saying EU countries may need extraordinary measures to tackle the pandemic, she added: "I am concerned that certain measures go too far -- and I'm particularly concerned with the situation in Hungary."
On Thursday Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs sharply rejected criticism of the law, saying: "Not only are we being criticised, but we are being subjected to a political witch-hunt and coordinated smear campaign."
On Thursday Hungary's justice ministry reacted to the joint statement by saying: "We deeply regret that the statement was not open for all Member States to join."
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