Hungary: Constitutional amendment seeks to prevent the reception of refugees

Orbán 2016 planned a constitutional amendment against EU refugee quotas, but failed in parliament. With a new majority he now wants to try again.

Hungary: Constitutional amendment seeks to prevent the reception of refugees

The Hungarian government party Fidesz wants to proceed with a constitutional amendment against redistribution of refugees according to quotas within EU. To that end, Parliament should once again vote on a 2016 rejected amendment to Constitution, as newly elected Chairman of Fidesz parliamentary group, Máté Kocsis, announced. The initiative failed at that time by voices of opposition. In parliamentary election in April, however, national conservative Fidesz was able to regain constitutional majority.

The 2016 rejected amendment of Constitution would have added, among or things, sentence that "no foreign people could be settled in Hungary". Foreign citizens, with exception of citizens of countries of European Economic Area, could live in territory of Hungary only on basis of laws adopted by Hungarian National Assembly. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had anticipated a majority vote for constitutional amendment, as right-wing extremist Jobbik party also rejected refugee quotas. But Jobbik voted against it surprisingly.

The Fidesz had voted Parliament 2016, after which a referendum on EU's refugee quotas had already failed. Voters should vote on wher EU can impose binding quotas on Hungary, without country's parliament agreeing. As instead of necessary 50 only 45 percent of voters voted, referendum was invalid. That 95 percent of voters voted against quotas, however, Orbán took as justification for his policy.

"Our goals are unchanged," said Bundestag group chairman Kocsis at a press conference after his election. That is " strengning of Christian culture, protection of external borders, full employment, and support for families." In addition, Kocsis announced that group wanted "stop Soros!" Legislative package in Parliament. The laws are intended to limit work of non-governmental organisations in Hungary. Organisations that are committed to refugees and asylum seekers should register with state, among or things. Orbán accuses US billionaire George Soros of wanting to influence Hungarian politics through NGOs.

In September 2015, EU decided to remove 160,000 refugees from Greece and Italy and to distribute m to or EU countries according to a key. Hungary would refore have to have 1,294 asylum seekers. Hungary rejects measure and complained toger with Slovakia against quotas. However, European Court of Justice rejected complaints. Orbán announced that he would not want to implement judgment.

Date Of Update: 04 May 2018, 12:02
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