Hungary Sues EU Court Over €1 Million Daily Migrant Fine

The Hungarian government is legally challenging the European Union's decision to impose a €1 million daily fine on the country for refusing to accept illegal migrants, a move announced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Chief Security Advisor, György Bakondi. Hungary opposes the EU’s Migration Pact, which mandates asylum applications be submitted within Hungary rather than in neighboring countries like Serbia, arguing that this policy effectively forces the country to accept illegal immigrants. Hungary's response to the 2015 migration surge, which saw over 400,000 illegal border crossings, included border fences, legal restrictions, and police and military deployment, measures credited with preventing terrorism, no-go zones, and social welfare strain. A national consultation showed strong public support for these border protections, with 83 percent favoring stopping migrants. While Hungary's strict immigration stance faces criticism from EU officials who support more permissive policies, several other member states, including Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, and Spain, are also pursuing national-level migration solutions. The lawsuit will be led by a highly reputable international legal team including two former EU Court of Justice judges, underlining Hungary's commitment to defending its sovereignty and migration policies.