Orban says Hungary to not adhere to EU demand to take in immigrants

(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has vowed that Hungary will not comply with new European Union requirements to accept migrants starting next year, denouncing the rules as an “absurd and unjust attack” on his country.

The EU Migration Pact, agreed on Monday and set to take effect in July, obliges member states to accept migrants proportionate to their population and GDP. Countries can either host relocated migrants from hotspots—primarily Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain—or pay €20,000 ($23,000) per person they refuse.

“As long as Hungary has a national government, we will not implement this outrageous decision,” Orban wrote on X on Tuesday. He argued that Hungary is already heavily affected by migration, with tens of thousands attempting to cross the border illegally each year, despite the country not being classified by the EU as under “significant” migration strain.

Hungary has previously faced EU penalties for its migration policies. In June 2024, the European Court of Justice ruled that Hungary must pay a €200 million lump sum and a daily €1 million fine for failing to comply with EU asylum law. Orban has stated Hungary would rather pay the daily fine than admit illegal migrants, citing security concerns, including Islamist attacks on public spaces such as Christmas markets.

Orban’s stance underscores his long-standing criticism of Brussels’ migration policies and signals continued tension between Hungary and the EU over asylum and border management.

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