Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is furious after the European Union fined his country nearly $215 million for violating EU laws on asylum and migration.
The EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg ordered Hungary to pay a lump sum of 200 million euros and a daily fine of 1 million euros for non-compliance. The judgment was based on Hungary’s failure to apply EU policy, described as a serious breach of EU Law.
Orban, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, criticized the fines as “outrageous” and “unacceptable” in a post on social media.
Orban expressed his dissatisfaction with the fines and criticized EU bureaucrats for prioritizing European citizens over migrants.
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) June 13, 2024
The court deemed Hungary’s actions as a severe threat to EU law, impacting both private and public interests.
In 2017, over 380,000 illegal migrants entered the EU, the highest number since 2016.
The EU recently approved the Asylum and Migration Pact, aimed at streamlining the asylum process and returning irregular migrants to their home countries within two years.
All 27 EU member states are required to either allocate more resources or accept migrants to manage illegal immigration and asylum requests.
Last Saturday, ahead of EU Parliament elections in Hungary, tens of thousands protested against Orban in Budapest in support of Péter Magyar, the leader of Hungary’s opposition party, Respect and Freedom (TISZA).
Magyar’s popularity threatens Orban’s dominance, with plans to challenge him in the upcoming national election in 2026.
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