Hungary is facing significant financial penalties from the European Union after failing to comply with a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding the country’s restrictive asylum policies.
Missed First Payment Deadline
The ECJ fined Hungary €200 million for what it described as a "unprecedented and exceptionally serious breach" of EU law. Despite the ruling, Hungary has missed the first payment deadline, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with Brussels, according to Ziare.
The legal battle dates back to December 2020, when the ECJ first ruled that Hungary, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had unlawfully restricted access to asylum procedures.
The court found that Hungary’s policies made it "virtually impossible" for asylum seekers to submit their claims, a situation compounded by the detention-like conditions in controversial "transit zones" that have since been closed.
Deducted from Allocations
Hungary’s government has consistently defended its actions, arguing that the migratory pressures across the EU justified its strict measures. However, the ECJ rejected these arguments, emphasizing that Hungary's practices violated both EU law and the rights of asylum seekers.
As Hungary has continued to ignore the 2020 ruling, the European Commission has now taken additional legal action, resulting in the hefty fine.
If Hungary fails to pay the fine by the final deadline of September 17, the EU Commission has indicated it will trigger a "compensation procedure," deducting the amount from Hungary's EU budget allocations.
Furthermore, Hungary could face additional penalties, including a daily fine of €1 million until it complies with the ECJ’s decision.
