Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his speech after he was re-elected as party president at the election of officials congress of the ruling Hungarian Fidesz party in Budapest, Hungary, Nov 18, 2023. (PHOTO / MTI VIA AP)

BUDAPEST - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill on "protecting national sovereignty" to parliament on Tuesday to defend against what it called undue political interference by foreign persons or groups.

The legislation comes as nationalist Orban, who over the past 13 years has clashed repeatedly with the European Union, has stepped up his party's campaign ahead of European Parliament elections next June.

Orban, who has a two-thirds majority in parliament that allows Fidesz to change any legislation, scored his fourth landslide victory in 2022

The bill would set up a separate authority to explore and monitor risks of political interference and recommend changes in regulations. It would also punish banned foreign financing for parties or groups running for election with up to three years in prison.

"Hungary's sovereignty is impaired -- and it also carries a heightened risk to national security -- if political power gets into the hands of persons or organizations dependent on any foreign power, organization or person," the bill reads.

Orban, who has a two-thirds majority in parliament that allows Fidesz to change any legislation, scored his fourth landslide victory in 2022.

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The EU has suspended billions of euros of funding to Hungary over a rule-of-law dispute during the tenure of Orban, who has appealed to conservative voters by portraying himself as a defender of Hungary's national interests.