Hungary plans lawsuit against Brussels over asylum fines

The Hungarian government is preparing to file a lawsuit against the European Commission following a €200 million fine imposed by the European Court of Justice in June 2024. This fine was a result of Hungary's violation of EU asylum laws, specifically for unlawfully detaining asylum-seekers and deporting them without allowing appeals. The court deemed Hungary's actions as an unprecedented breach of EU law, necessitating financial penalties. Gergely Gulyás, a senior minister in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration, announced that Hungary should not only avoid the fine but also receive financial support for border control efforts. He highlighted that Hungary has spent €2 billion on border security without receiving adequate assistance from the EU, unlike other member states. Gulyás emphasized that Hungary's Ministry of Justice is prepared to take legal action to seek reimbursement for these expenses. He also reiterated Hungary's controversial stance on migration, suggesting that if the EU desires more migrants, Hungary is willing to send them to Brussels. Hungary has already missed a payment deadline for the fine, with a second deadline set for September 17. Failure to comply will result in the Commission deducting the fine from Hungary's EU funds, escalating tensions between Budapest and Brussels over migration policies and financial responsibilities.