Hungary is threatening to send migrants directly to the European Union (EU) capital of Brussels, Belgium if disputes with the EU over penalties imposed on Hungary for controlling its borders are not resolved. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has imposed a €200 million (~$222.5 million) penalty and a daily fine of €1 million (~$1.1 million) on Hungary for turning away illegal immigrants at its border instead of allowing them to claim asylum.
Gergely Gulyas, who heads Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s office, says negotiations with the European Commission will begin in September. He warns that failure to reach an agreement will result in Hungary issuing “one-way tickets to Brussels” for migrants. Gulyas wants a swift resolution to the dispute to avoid daily fines piling up.
The European Commission has not commented on Gulyas’s remarks.
The current situation mirrors tensions in the United States, where pro-borders Texas is bussing illegal immigrants to states like New York, where state officials oppose a border wall construction and promote “sanctuary” policies.
The row is just the latest between the EU and Hungary. Orbán’s government also faces pushback from the bloc for a law banning the promotion of LGBT ideology to children in schools and media.
The EU is also clashing with Bulgaria over new legislation along similar lines.
Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.