The European Court of Justice imposed a €200 million fine on Hungary, which the country refuses to pay, leading to threats of retaliation from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Budapest has threatened to transport irregular migrants to Brussels, which the European Commission deems unacceptable, as it would breach EU laws and undermine the principle of mutual trust. The Commission is in discussions with Hungary to ensure they do not move forward with the plan, and has the authority to introduce temporary restrictions in the Schengen Area if needed. Belgian authorities have strongly opposed Hungary’s actions, warning that they will not grant access to migration flows that are used in this way.
The clash between Hungary and the EU stems from the European Court of Justice ruling that Hungary had committed a serious breach of EU law regarding asylum restrictions, resulting in the €200 million fine. Viktor Orbán criticized the ruling and threatened to transport migrants to Brussels as a form of retaliation. Hungarian officials displayed buses that would potentially be used for this operation, offering free transport from Hungary to Brussels. Hungary has also demanded to recover €2 billion from the EU, claiming it has spent that amount since 2015 to protect its borders.
The European Commission is taking a strong stance against Hungary’s actions, warning that the bussing of migrants would undermine the security of the Schengen Area. Discussions are ongoing to prevent Hungary from carrying out their announced plan, as it goes against EU laws and the principles of mutual trust and cooperation. Brussels has the power to introduce temporary restrictions in the Schengen Area if necessary to maintain security and order. The escalation of the situation has raised concerns about the functioning of the Schengen Area due to uncoordinated border checks.
Belgian authorities have rejected Hungary’s actions and called for a strong response from the European Commission. The bussing row is occurring alongside a dispute over Hungary’s National Card scheme extension to Russian and Belarusian citizens, which the Commission warns could pose a threat to the Schengen Area as a whole. The clashes between Hungary and the EU highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges in migration policy and border security within the bloc. The situation underscores the importance of cooperation and adherence to EU laws and principles to maintain the integrity of the Schengen Area and ensure the security of its external borders.
