Hungary corruption watchdog seeks court review of new laws

Transparency International is calling on Hungary's president to block new regulations limiting public access to information about the state-owned postal services and the National Bank of Hungary.

The corruption watchdog asked President Janos Ader in a letter Wednesday to send the legal amendments to the Constitutional Court for review.

Transparency International said that the changes approved Tuesday by government-party lawmakers "make it difficult for citizens exercising their rights to monitor the functions of power and the expenditure of public funds."

In the case of the central bank, concerns have focused on some 250 billion forints ($872 million) spent by the central bank on setting up foundations, as well as unusually large outlays on real estate and art works.