Referendum could protect Hungary from EU migrant quota, says state secretary

Budapest, August 8 (MTI) – If the Oct. 2 national referendum on the EU migrant quota is valid and the majority of people vote against it, then Hungary’s parliament will introduce a law to prevent the EU from forcing the country to take in unwanted migrants, the justice ministry’s state secretary said in the Monday issue of daily Magyar Idők.

In the referendum, Hungarians will be asked:

“Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of parliament?”

Pál Volner said that the prospective law would be in force for at least three years.

The government’s position is clear on the migrant quota issue, Volner stressed, insisting that a forced redistribution of migrants would hurt Hungary’s interests.

Those who vote “yes” in the October referendum will agree to allow Brussels to “direct any foreign national to Hungary’s territory at any time,” Volner told the paper.

Those voting “no” will however agree that Hungary would take in persons only with the approval and authorisation of the Hungarian state and its authorities, in line with domestic regulations, he said.

“The government has initiated the quota referendum in the interest of Europe, and not against it, and there is no serious argument in support of Hungary leaving the European community,” Volner said.