Hungary plans to send asylum seekers to Brussels for free

Hungary's government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has announced plans to offer asylum seekers free one-way travel to Brussels, aiming to pressure the European Union regarding fines imposed for its restrictive asylum policies. This initiative follows a ruling by the European Court of Justice, which mandated Hungary to pay a substantial fine for violating EU asylum rules. The Hungarian government has been criticized for forcing asylum seekers to apply for permits at embassies in neighboring countries, rather than allowing them to seek asylum directly within Hungary. At a press conference in Budapest, State Secretary Bence Rétvári emphasized that the transport of asylum seekers would occur after the European procedure is implemented, although he did not clarify the legal status of those being transported. The government’s stance reflects a broader anti-immigrant sentiment and a desire to maintain strict border controls, which have included the construction of fences along its southern borders. The proposal to bus migrants to Brussels is reminiscent of similar tactics used by right-wing politicians in the United States and is seen as a provocative move against the EU. Hungary's government has also indicated plans to challenge the EU's fines legally, claiming that it has incurred significant expenses for border protection measures. This situation has escalated tensions between Hungary and the EU, with the latter freezing funds due to Hungary's breaches of rule-of-law standards. The ongoing conflict raises questions about Hungary's future relationship with the EU and its commitment to shared European values regarding immigration and asylum.