EU executive warns emergency coronavirus laws cannot flout democracy

The European Union's executive warned member states on Tuesday that emergency measures adopted by governments to fight the coronavirus crisis cannot undercut democracy.

"It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values... Democracy cannot work without free and independent media," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

"Any emergency measures must be limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate. They must not last indefinitely... governments must make sure that such measures are subject to regular scrutiny," she added after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban secured the indefinite right to rule by decree.