Hungary’s exclusion from Schengen Zone discussed in EP amid National Card controversy
Hungary’s days in the Schengen area may be numbered. The European Commission has once again addressed the Hungarian government about its controversial National Card system, following a previous response that left Brussels unsatisfied. In fact, the EU finds Hungary’s support for Russia and Belarus increasingly baffling.
During a session of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, made it clear that Russia poses a serious threat to the peace, democracy, and stability of the European Union, HVG reports.
Major security concerns surround the National Card scheme
Johansson emphasised that security concerns have touched all areas of policy, which is why the EU ended its visa facilitation agreements with Russia and Belarus after the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, travel from these countries to the EU has decreased by 90%.
She also pointed out that Russian espionage and sabotage attempts are an ongoing concern in many EU member states, illustrating that Russia is actively working against the bloc’s interests.
The Hungarian government’s explanation regarding the National Card system has only deepened the EU’s concerns. Johansson continues to question the necessity of the system in the current geopolitical climate, and she remains unconvinced that its potential benefits outweigh the risks. Therefore, she has sent another letter to Hungary, requesting clarification by the end of September.
Jeroen Lenaerts, a member of the European People’s Party, didn’t mince words during the debate, stating that Hungary’s actions could be seen as a gift to Putin and a direct challenge to the EU. He warned that Hungary’s stance could threaten the integrity of the entire Schengen Zone.
No one defended Hungary’s position
No one in the debate defended Hungary’s position directly. Supporters of the Orbán government instead shifted the conversation to focus on illegal immigration, raising concerns about its dangers. Some of these critics, including members of the far-right Sovereign Nations of Europe group, expressed frustration that no representative from the Hungarian government was present to explain their side, even though Hungarian Minister János Bóka had been in the same building earlier for a press conference.
In response, committee chairman
Javier Zarzajelos clarified that the Hungarian government had not requested to participate in the meeting.
The discussion ended with calls from several MEPs to consider excluding Hungary from the Schengen Area altogether due to the ongoing concerns about its policies.
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Looks like hungary is moving forward with his border protections! Finally a success story for fidesz!
to complete te border protection, the gorvernment must kick out from Hungary all foreign woke cockroaches like jose hernandez
The EU Parliament spends more time trying to force bad EU migrant policies and how to punish Hungary than working on policies that would benefit the people of Europe. Supporting Brussels is a waste of money.
Do it. DO IT! Remove the last few reasons it makes sense to stay in that corrupt, autocratic, globalist-socialist Frankenstein-creation.
Coz yeah, Hungary is the problem, right! Not the millions of violent, rape-y, illiterate, fighting-age illegal aliens who keep streaming into Europe as if there were no borders at all.
Well. It was already up to the level that Slovenia and Austria had additional border arrangements in place with Hungary – bit of a clue as to how robust the border protection actually is (our Politician posturing notwithstanding). The US has limited our ESTA (only country of 40) because of our Politicians handing out Hungarian passports without proper review, and now it appears even Slovakia won´t stand up for our Politicians on this matter within the EU. Very telling.
Democracy or Short-term benefits?
“The EU finds Hungary’s support for Russia and Belarus increasingly baffling.” That is one of the stupidest comments I have read. This has been going on for years and it is not “baffling.” As laid out in the story about discounted oil sent to Hungary by Lukoil, Hungary was sold to Russia by Fidesz for likely billions of euros per year in the form of oil discounted from the market price. Hungary has even marked up some of this oil and resold it to other countries. In return Fidesz does what Putin asks it to do inside the EU and NATO.
Reports including drone video footage are coming out about the Russian army executing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers on the front. Make no mistake about who and what the Russians are. They are monsters who threaten Europe and the Hungarian government is their enabler, their ass-licking assistant helping them to do their dirty work and Fidesz does it for money. Meanwhile former ambassador for this government Gyorgy Karolyi falsely proclaims that “The soverignty of a country cannot be bought with money.”
@mariavontheresa … Hungary is a TAKER. At the end of the day, even with “what is due to us!” deducted, we are a net beneficiary of EU funds…
Hungary receives more money from the EU than we pay in. So leaving the Club and self funding would actually be LOSING money. Crazy, right???
Hungary pays its membership fee to Brussels; Brussels wastes the money. That is called giving and not taking.
Hungary can join the union with the fascist dictator like that of Russia and Lukashenko. And , please the EU and NATO because you hardly act like you belong in the club. Orban has consistently chastised EU and NATO. So , why stay in it?