Hungary has followed the example of the Netherlands by requesting an exemption from EU rules for asylum seekers, said the country’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban in the European Parliament today. Last month, the Dutch government asked Brussels to exempt it from the regular asylum policy, while the European Commission reportedly responded that “there should be no immediate changes,” according to the AFP network.
European agreements are binding for member states, and exemptions can only be made with the approval of all 27 countries. The new EU rules approved in May will come into effect in 2026 and aim to “distribute the responsibilities” of the bloc in hosting refugees or deporting those who do not meet the criteria to stay.
Budapest had written to Commissioner Ylva Johansson yesterday regarding the request, Hungarian Minister Janos Boka announced on Facebook.
“The Hungarian government is determined to take measures to protect the borders and reduce illegal immigration, as it threatens our national security,” Boka wrote on Monday.
Hungary has often accused the European Commission of encouraging immigration to Europe with its policies.
This led the European Court in June to fine Hungary for failing to comply with the bloc’s policies on asylum seekers.
Orban chaired today’s session of the European Parliament and is expected to confront EU officials as Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the bloc, according to the AFP network.
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