Two hundred million euros allocated. - Hungary Faced Fines by European Court of Justice over Asylum Regulations
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has penalized Hungary for its asylum policy since the country has failed to comply with supreme court decisions on the asylum system. Consequently, they will have to pay €200 million and one million euros daily for each day of delay, the court ruled in Luxembourg on Thursday. This breach of contract stems from Hungary's purposeful refusal to implement a common Union policy. The ECJ deemed this a highly serious and unprecedented violation of EU law.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacted furiously to the decision: "This decision is preposterous and can't be tolerated. I refuse to succumb to the financial threats of Brussels officials! We'll fortify our borders, and safeguard the interests of Hungarians!" he stated on Facebook.
Due to its stringent refugee policy, Hungary's nationalist government has been reproached by the EU Commission on numerous occasions. The ECJ has deeming several components of the Hungarian asylum system unlawful in previous rulings.
Hungary embroiled in conflicts with the EU over asylum policy
The basis for the current decision involves a complaint from the EU Commission filed in 2022. This authority oversees the adherence to common law in the EU. The EU Commission discovered that Budapest had not adequately implemented a 2020 ECJ verdict on the Hungarian asylum system.
The ECJ had determined during that time that several legal provisions contravened EU law. This included the process in the now-closed transit camps at the Serbian border. In response, new regulations were introduced in Hungary, stipulating that asylum seekers had to undergo a preliminary procedure in Hungarian consulates prior to applying for asylum in the country. These regulations were also struck down by the ECJ last year.
During the current legal proceedings, the EU Commission expressed dissatisfaction that Hungary had still not taken the necessary steps to ensure an effective asylum procedure after the 2020 ruling.
Poland ordered to pay daily fines by the ECJ
The judges mostly agreed with this argument: Budapest is in breach of the principle of loyal cooperation in the realm of international protection and the provisions on the return of non-nationals without authorization. This behavior poses a significant threat to the coherence of EU law.
Hungary isn't the only country to have been ordered to pay fines by the ECJ in recent years. In 2021, Poland was instructed to pay €1 million per day by the ECJ for not implementing supreme court decisions on a contentious judicial reform. This amount was later reduced.
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Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, despite the EU Commission's criticisms of Hungary's strict refugee policy and the ECJ's rulings against certain aspects of its asylum system, has maintained his stance, vowing to fortify Hungary's borders and protect its interests, even in the face of potential daily fines by the ECJ.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has not only fined Hungary for its noncompliance with supreme court decisions on the asylum system but has also ordered Poland to pay daily fines for similar reasons in recent years, signifying a consistent enforcement of EU law in the realm of asylum policy.
