Slovakia may close the Hungarian–Slovakian border next Tuesday

Boris Kollár (Sme Rodina party), Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, has called an urgent session of parliament on the control of the Slovakian–Hungarian border for Tuesday. Sme Rodina and some other independent MEPs initiated the session. The southern regions of the country have been facing a serious amount of illegal immigrants. Some civils have initiated a petition asking the Hungarian government to take action in the situation.

Illegal migration

Új szó reported that Sme Rodina demands the government introduce temporary controls at the border between Slovakia and Hungary. In addition, they want adequate forces and means to prevent illegal border crossing. Realising this could involve the police and the armed forces as well. The Sme Rodina party has consistently criticised the government for failing to address the issue of illegal migration properly. Last week, they called for an urgent session on the issue. However, it did not happen as the parliament was unable to reach a decision.

Civil initiative

Új szó also wrote that Attila Baki and Tamás Bojtoš have initiated a civil petition (“Petition to the Government of Hungary”) in Ipeľské Predmostien (Ipolyhídvég in Hungarian). The initiators are seeking help resolving the refugee situation in the southern districts from the Hungarian government. They plan to collect signatures from every settlement that is affected by illegal migration. The signatures request the Hungarian government to take the necessary measures – with the help of its neighbours if necessary – to make the daily lives of people living there safer. Citizens think that illegal border crossers enter Slovakia via Hungary.

Hungarian–Slovakian border

Economx wrote that according to the NGO, refugees are reaching Slovak settlements through the green border. Thus, they are asking the Hungarian government led by PM Orbán to strengthen border protection. The NGO urges a constructive solution to the serious situation and asks to stop the arrival of more groups of illegal refugees in the southern areas of Slovakia.

Former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has demanded that police be mobilised along the entire Hungarian–Slovakian border if there is no other solution. István Hamran, National Police Commissioner, stressed that the hermetic sealing of the 517 km border would require more than 110,000 police officers. According to him, it is therefore not feasible. The police have neither the manpower nor the technical means to carry out such a task. In conclusion, it is very unlikely that the urgent parliamentary session would result in closing the Hungarian–Slovakian border completely. However, there might be other significant decisions and restrictions on the matter.