Brussels Moves Further Towards Creating Migrant Ghettos

The adoption of the migration pact is another attack by Brussels against Hungary.

Strasbourg, 2024. január 17. Hidvéghi Balázs, a Fidesz európai parlamenti (EP-) képviselõje felszólal a jogállamiság magyarországi helyzetérõl és a befagyasztott uniós pénzeszközökrõl tartott vitában az uniós parlament strasbourgi plenáris ülésén 2024. január 17-én. MTI/EPA/Ronald Wittek Fotó: Ronald Wittek

The adoption of the pact by the committee does not immediately turn the legal text into law, but the draft is expected to be approved soon, by a simple majority vote in the upcoming EP plenary. As the legislative process moves forward, the entire European Parliament will need further debates and votes on the text, and in some cases the approval of other EU institutions, such as the Council of the European Union, may also be required.

With regard to the progression of the migration pact, Mr Hidveghi gave a detailed explanation as to why it's incompatible with Hungary's position.

The MEP emphasized that the proposal, which includes nine pieces of legislation, aims, among other things, to distribute illegal immigrants in Europe according to quotas, adding that any country rejecting this could be subject to fines. This decision would effectively create migrant ghettos in EU member states, which is unacceptable for Hungary, the politician said, adding that the new rules would still not require that decisions on asylum requests be taken outside of Europe's borders. 

The experience of recent years demonstrates how trying to manage migration within Europe's borders will lead to an uncontrollable situation, the MEP complained. "Illegal migrants cannot be located and deported from Europe," he said, summing up one of the core problems.

The only successful solution to curb illegal migration is the Hungarian system, Mr Hidveghi emphasized, adding that Hungary responded to the crisis by shutting down its borders both physically and legally. 

Today's vote by the LIBE Committee should be viewed as an attack on Hungary's well-functioning system,

– he stressed, adding that despite Brussels' efforts, they will continue to protect Hungary from forced migration. "The Hungarian people have repeatedly expressed, unequivocally, that they do not want to live in a country of immigrants. Therefore, we firmly reject the migration pact. We will not let our country be turned into an immigrant country." - Mr Hidveghi concluded. 

Cover photo: Fidesz MEP Balazs Hidveghi speaks during a debate on the rule of law in Hungary and the freezing of EU funds at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, on January 17, 2024. (Photo: MTI/EPA/Ronald Wittek)