Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Billion Fine for Hungary's Asylum Policy – Orbán Fumes

The EU court imposes fines in the billions to Hungary for "deliberately circumventing" EU asylum laws. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán rages against the decision – and vows not to give in to the EU's "blackmail".

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 15:41

» Published: 13 June 2024

Billion Fine for Hungary's Asylum Policy – Orbán Fumes
Photo: Tibor Rosta/AP/TT

The European Court of Justice has imposed fines in the billions on Hungary for "deliberately circumventing" EU asylum laws.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is furious about the decision – and vows not to give in to the EU's "blackmail".

Hungary has been ordered to pay a lump sum of 200 million euros, equivalent to over 2.2 billion Swedish kronor. Additionally, a penalty of over 11 million kronor per day will be imposed for each day the country continues to breach EU regulations – starting today.

"The decision is outrageous and unacceptable. We will not give in to the economic blackmail of Brussels bureaucrats", Orbán comments in a Facebook post.

The ruling comes after the EU Commission took Hungary to court for refusing to allow asylum seekers to apply for asylum in the country.

"Serious infringement"

As early as December 2020, the European Court of Justice ruled that Hungary had not followed the EU's statutory procedures for asylum seekers and had illegally deported migrants. At the time, the government in Budapest had just introduced a law requiring migrants or refugees seeking asylum to undergo an additional process in a neighbouring country first.

Now, Hungary is being fined for failing to take adequate measures since the 2020 ruling.

Hungary's failure to comply with EU policy constitutes an "unprecedented and extremely serious infringement of EU law", according to the European Court of Justice in a statement. The country is undermining the principle of solidarity and the distribution of responsibilities among EU member states, they argue.

Building fences

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been a vocal critic of the EU's refugee policy over the past decade and has led Eastern European resistance to refugee quotas for EU countries.

Orbán and his nationalist ruling party Fidesz have accused migrants of threatening "European Christian civilisation" and built a long fence along the country's southern border to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country.

In parallel, the government in Budapest has systematically dismantled the country's democratic institutions, which has been met with criticism from the EU and several human rights organisations.

Viktor Orbán, born 1963, has been Hungary's Prime Minister since May 2010, when his conservative party Fidesz won over 50 per cent of the votes. He also led the country as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002.

Fidesz was founded as a liberal youth movement in 1988 but has become increasingly conservative over the years.

Orbán has been heavily criticised abroad for increasing government control over the media, universities, and courts, his harsh tone towards migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, and his close relationships with authoritarian regimes in Russia and China.

However, several years of economic growth have made him popular at home. Many Hungarians see Orbán as a strong force against the EU leadership, which is often portrayed in Hungary as a threat to national sovereignty and Hungarian values.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Canada in dispute with Tiktok - "national security"
1 MIN READ

Canada in dispute with Tiktok - "national security"

The EU Top on Trump: There is Something to Build On
2 MIN READ

The EU Top on Trump: There is Something to Build On

Harris Turned His Back: "Didn't Stop the Genocide"
2 MIN READ

Harris Turned His Back: "Didn't Stop the Genocide"

Israel buys new fighter jets from Boeing
1 MIN READ

Israel buys new fighter jets from Boeing

Israeli Attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon
1 MIN READ

Israeli Attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon

German opposition demands earlier no-confidence vote
2 MIN READ

German opposition demands earlier no-confidence vote

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration
1 MIN READ

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud
1 MIN READ

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall
2 MIN READ

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall

Two states are still counting their votes
1 MIN READ

Two states are still counting their votes

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now
3 MIN READ

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now

Struggle for Power in Congress
3 MIN READ

Struggle for Power in Congress

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"
1 MIN READ

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv
1 MIN READ

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv

Australia: 16-year limit for Tiktok
2 MIN READ

Australia: 16-year limit for Tiktok

Melania Trump calls for unity
1 MIN READ

Melania Trump calls for unity

Zelensky: USA's leadership is crucial
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: USA's leadership is crucial

Biden praises Harris: "The best decision I made"
2 MIN READ

Biden praises Harris: "The best decision I made"

German Government Crisis – May Lead to New Elections
1 MIN READ

German Government Crisis – May Lead to New Elections

Joyful atmosphere at Trump's residence: "Life gets better"
3 MIN READ

Joyful atmosphere at Trump's residence: "Life gets better"