Responding to the closure of Népszabadság overnight, president of the S&D Group Gianni Pittella said:
"The freedom of press is today in danger in Hungary. The most influential and independent Hungarian daily newspaper Népszabadság has been suspended overnight, without any previous notice, on the pretext of a financial reason.
"It is very common in undemocratic systems to shut down hostile newspapers that undermine the power of the government by uncovering - for example - clear cases of corruption. This is exactly what has happened at Népszabadság.
"We urge the Hungarian authorities to put in place all possible measures to ensure the re-opening of Népszabadság and the return to work of all its journalists.
"This is what a real democratic government should do. This is what Europe expects from Orbán and the Hungarian government."
