GETTY George Soros faces the closure of his university by Viktor Orban

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Mr Orban has ignored criticism and a huge protest and pushed through a controversial new education law, which may cause the closure of Mr Soros’ Central European University. Opponents say Mr Orban is purposefully attempting to crack down on freedom of speech and academic freedom in an attempt to tighten his control on the country. The law particularly effects foreign institutions, including Mr Soros' university in Budapest.

The organisers of a protest march which saw 80,000 people march through the streets of the capital said the bill went against “the law, nation’s voice [and] the country’s best interest".

GETTY Viktor Orban has ignored protests and criticisms

They said Mr Orban's priorities were instead "the government’s phantom war and consolidation of power”. The PM has rejected these claims is now requesting an opportunity to speak in front of the European Parliament to explain his decision. Earlier Hungary’s education minister had defended the controversial bill, explaining the harsh conditions were not intended to shut down Mr Soros’ university.

GETTY George Soros with former US president Bill Clinton

Laszlo Palkovics said: “The Hungarian government doesn’t want to close any university — neither Hungarian universities nor any of the universities belonging to Mr Soros.” He said the bill had been imposed because of “different kinds of anomalies” which have been found at 27 of 28 foreign institutions in the country. Mr Palkovics said: “We don’t want to have universities that are just issuing diplomas based on any kind of accreditation without any control.

“[We are] absolutely open to find a solution to the current situation.” Mr Soros is a divisive figure due to his huge wealth, left-wing interests and reputation as ‘The Man who Broke the Bank of England’ due to his sale of pounds sterling during the Black Wednesday crisis of September 1992.

GETTY George Soros campaigned heavily against Donald Trump during the US election campaign