Hungary anticipates eliminating EU refugee policy regulations.
Netherlands, led by its right-wing government, has requested exemption from the EU's asylum rules in Brussels. Following suit, Hungary plans to do the same. Hungary's Minister for Europe, György Lukács, expressed a firm stance against this issue. However, analysts believe the attempts of these two countries to break away from EU rules are not probable.
Hungary intends to mimic Netherlands' move of exiting the EU's asylum regulations. Lukács communicated this through a statement, highlighting the necessity of strong measures against unlawful immigration. Budapest seeks to apply for this exception, but only if the EU treaties allow it.
Previously, Netherlands had presented an application to the EU Commission to be exempted from EU's asylum rules. Geert Wilders, a prominent right-wing populist and a part of the government coalition with his extreme-right party For Freedom (PVV), regarded this as a significant indication of a shift in Dutch politics. He even referred to it as a "mini-Nexit," implying a potential withdrawal of Netherlands from the EU, popularly known as "Nexit." Despite his long-standing demand for Nexit, Wilders had earlier shelved this plan ahead of joining the government.
Orbán and Brussels' ongoing conflict
It appears unlikely that Netherlands and Hungary will achieve their goal. Generally, all 27 EU member states must approve an exception. Furthermore, EU countries have already finalized a new asylum reform and are required to implement it. A spokesperson for the EU Commission acknowledged receiving the application. Exemption solely comes with changes to the treaties. "Given this context, we do not anticipate any imminent alterations in the EU guidelines for asylum and migration," said the spokesperson. The rules continue to apply for Netherlands.
Hungary, under the leadership of right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has been enacting hostile immigration policies, causing tension with the EU Commission. Currently, Budapest is refusing to pay a €200 million fine imposed by the European Court of Justice due to its strict asylum policies. The EU Commission is now contemplating withholding this sum from future EU payments to Hungary.
The European Council will undoubtedly be involved in discussions regarding Hungary's request to exempt itself from EU asylum rules, given its role in overseeing the Union's broader policies. If Hungary's application is approved, it could set a precedent for other EU member states seeking similar exemptions.
