Hungary is launching a legal challenge at the European Court of Justice in response to a ruling that imposed a €1 million daily fine on the country for its handling of asylum seekers. The announcement was made by György Bakondi, the Hungarian Prime Minister’s chief internal security advisor, during an interview on TV2 on Wednesday.
Bakondi explained that the fine stems from an EU decision requiring asylum applications to be submitted within Hungary, rather than in neighbouring countries like Serbia. He argued that this effectively forces Hungary to accept illegal migrants, a policy the government strongly opposes.
In response, Hungary is preparing to file suit with the help of an international law firm whose team includes two former judges of the EU court. Bakondi emphasized the firm’s reputation and expertise in EU legal matters.
The advisor recalled that Hungary faced intense migration pressure in 2015, when over 400,000 illegal migrants crossed its borders in just two months. According to Bakondi, the majority of these individuals had no intention of staying in Hungary, prompting the government to consult its citizens.
A national consultation revealed that 83 per cent of respondents supported stronger border protections. Consequently, Hungary implemented a combination of technical barriers, legal measures, and the deployment of police and military forces to secure its borders.
Bakondi credited this approach with preserving public safety, preventing the emergence of ‘no-go zones’, and avoiding strain on social services. However, he also acknowledged that Hungary’s strict stance has drawn continued criticism from EU officials, particularly those who advocate more permissive migration policies.
He noted, however, that several EU countries—including Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, and Spain—have recently begun seeking national-level solutions to migration, signalling a potential shift in how the issue is addressed across the continent.
The case could reignite broader debates within the EU over the balance between national sovereignty and shared asylum responsibilities, as Hungary continues to assert its right to determine its own immigration policy.
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