Hungary Proposes Free Brussels Tickets for Migrants Amid EU Dispute

In a controversial move, the Hungarian government has proposed offering free one-way tickets to Brussels for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to enter the European Union. This suggestion comes in response to substantial fines imposed on Hungary by the EU over its restrictive asylum policies.

Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, announced this proposal during a press conference in Budapest. The statement follows a June 2023 ruling by the European Court of Justice, which ordered Hungary to pay a €200 million fine and an additional €1 million per day until it aligns its policies with EU law.

"If Brussels wants migrants, then it can have them."

Hungary, an EU member since 2004, has maintained a firm anti-immigration stance since the 2015 European migrant crisis, when over 1 million people, primarily Syrian conflict refugees, entered Europe. The country implemented strict border control measures, including:

• Constructing fences with razor wire on its southern borders with Serbia and Croatia
• Establishing transit zones for holding asylum seekers
• Requiring asylum applicants to apply at Hungarian embassies in Serbia or Ukraine

The EU has criticized Hungary's asylum system, particularly its requirement for asylum seekers to apply outside the country, which violates common EU procedures for granting asylum. This policy is part of the Dublin Regulation, which determines asylum application responsibility among EU member states.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary's Prime Minister since 2010 and a right-wing populist often at odds with the EU, has previously stated that Hungary would not alter its migration and asylum policies regardless of European Court of Justice rulings. Hungary's stance on immigration aligns with other Visegrád Group countries, often differing from broader EU policies.

It's worth noting that Hungary's proposal mirrors actions taken by Republican governors in the United States since 2022. These governors have transported undocumented immigrants to Democratic-led cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in protest of federal asylum procedures.

Hungary's conflict with the EU extends beyond immigration issues. The country has faced criticism for its media policies and judicial reforms, with the European Parliament even voting to trigger Article 7 proceedings over rule of law concerns. Despite these challenges, Hungary remains a part of the Schengen Area, allowing free movement between member countries.

As this situation unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tensions between national sovereignty and EU-wide policies, particularly in areas of immigration and asylum. The resolution of this dispute will likely have significant implications for EU cohesion and migration policies in the years to come.