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: July 16 2024

» Published: June 13 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 TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald

More news

Ukraine's Elderly Bear the Brunt
3 MIN READ

Ukraine's Elderly Bear the Brunt of War's Devastation

Russia Breaks Easter Ceasefire Nearly
2 MIN READ

Russia Breaks Easter Ceasefire Nearly 3,000 Times, Ukraine's Zelensky Says

Genre image
1 MIN READ

12 Killed, 30 Injured in US Airstrikes on Yemen's Capital

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Israel Revokes Visas for 27 French Politicians Ahead of Visit

El Salvador's President Proposes Prisoner
2 MIN READ

El Salvador's President Proposes Prisoner Swap with Venezuela

US Defense Minister Hegseth Shared
2 MIN READ

US Defense Minister Hegseth Shared Sensitive Yemen Attack Plans with Family

Back on Earth at 70:
1 MIN READ

Back on Earth at 70: Astronaut Celebrates Birthday with Kazakhstan Landing

Norwegian Police Nab Suspect in
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Police Nab Suspect in Brutal Murder of Notorious Robber

Easter Surprise: Zurich Zoo Welcomes
1 MIN READ

Easter Surprise: Zurich Zoo Welcomes New Elephant Calf

Israel's Ambulance Shooting Probe Sparks
3 MIN READ

Israel's Ambulance Shooting Probe Sparks Outrage

Kyiv Residents Skeptical of Russian
2 MIN READ

Kyiv Residents Skeptical of Russian Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Fears

Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall, Qatar
2 MIN READ

Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall, Qatar Mediator Expresses Frustration

Pope Francis Calls for Freedom
1 MIN READ

Pope Francis Calls for Freedom of Expression as Key to Peace

Snails Become Surprising Lifeline in
2 MIN READ

Snails Become Surprising Lifeline in Crisis-Hit Tunisia

Record Turnout for Canada's Advance
1 MIN READ

Record Turnout for Canada's Advance Voting as Election Nears

Putin Refuses to Extend Ukraine
3 MIN READ

Putin Refuses to Extend Ukraine Ceasefire

Four Killed in Small Plane
1 MIN READ

Four Killed in Small Plane Crash in Illinois

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Eleven Dead in Delhi Building Collapse, Several Rescued

Thousands Rally Across U.S. in
1 MIN READ

Thousands Rally Across U.S. in New Wave of Protests Against Trump

US Conducts New Air Strikes
1 MIN READ

US Conducts New Air Strikes on Huthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Conflicting Reports Emerge on Congo Boat Disaster Casualties

Israeli Attacks in Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Attacks in Gaza Leave at Least 54 Dead, Officials Report

Netanyahu: Hamas Blocks Hostage Deal,
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu: Hamas Blocks Hostage Deal, Protests Erupt in Israel

UK Protests Erupt Over Supreme
1 MIN READ

UK Protests Erupt Over Supreme Court's Gender Identity Ruling

Cat Briefly Ventures into White
1 MIN READ

Cat Briefly Ventures into White House, Reunited with Owner

Russia and Ukraine Exchange Over
1 MIN READ

Russia and Ukraine Exchange Over 240 Prisoners in Rare Cooperation

Skepticism Surrounds Putin's Ceasefire Announcement
2 MIN READ

Skepticism Surrounds Putin's Ceasefire Announcement in Ukraine

Taliban Voices Concern Over Pakistan's
1 MIN READ

Taliban Voices Concern Over Pakistan's Afghan Deportations

Trump's Push to Reshape Federal
2 MIN READ

Trump's Push to Reshape Federal Bureaucracy Raises Power Balance Concerns

Car Workers Question Impact of
5 MIN READ

Car Workers Question Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Jobs

Elon Musk's Growing Family: Inside
3 MIN READ

Elon Musk's Growing Family: Inside the Secret Paternity Agreements

Prominent Tunisian Critics Sentenced to
1 MIN READ

Prominent Tunisian Critics Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms

Trump Administration's Demands Letter to
2 MIN READ

Trump Administration's Demands Letter to Harvard Sent by Mistake

US Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan
1 MIN READ

US Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan Deportations After ACLU Appeal

USA and Iran Set for
3 MIN READ

USA and Iran Set for New Nuclear Talks in Oman Next Saturday

Milei's Economic Plan: Argentina Eyes
4 MIN READ

Milei's Economic Plan: Argentina Eyes Strongest Growth in 30 Years