On December 6, 2024, the national conservative group Patriots for Europe unveiled their most significant migration policy reform effort to date, dubbed the Budapest Declaration. The widely anticipated declaration was announced at the Hungarian Parliament and outlines the group's strong opposition to the European Union's current migration pact, which they argue is poorly structured and inadequate to tackle the challenges Europe faces with immigration.
The Patriots for Europe (PfE) group calls for the total reformation of the EU's migration policy, emphasizing the need to prioritize the protection of external borders and limit unauthorized immigration. Gál Kinga, the first vice-chairman of the group, emphasized during the event, "Today, there is clearly a migration crisis in Europe, which threatens the future of the continent." She criticized the European Parliament's pro-immigration majority for pushing through the current migration pact, which, according to her, merely exacerbates the situation instead of providing valid solutions.
This revamped approach emerges against the backdrop of rising migration rates and growing public concern over immigration across Europe. The Budapest Declaration articulates the desire of the Patriots to establish strict standards for who may enter and remain within the EU, demanding effective external border protection and immediate expulsion of criminal asylum seekers.
Jordan Bardella, president of the PfE group, emphasized, "Mass migration is the most serious threat to the future of Europe." His sentiments echoed throughout the meeting as he lambasted the current migration policies for opening Europe's doors indiscriminately and pushing for the mandatory distribution of migrants throughout the continent. Bardella voiced strong opposition to the European Court of Human Rights, citing their efforts to compel nations like Hungary to comply with the migration pact by withholding EU funds.
Among the key proposals outlined in the declaration are calls for member states to have the liberty to establish their own strict immigration rules, effectively allowing them to opt-out of EU migration policies. Bardella warned against the complacency of European leaders who fail to address the issue of mass migration, claiming it's akin to "organizing its own suicide." The faction urges the EU to withdraw sanctions against member states taking measures to curb illegal migration.
Moving beyond mere political rhetoric, the Budapest Declaration expresses practical and enforceable recommendations. It suggests establishing reception and deportation facilities financed by the EU budget, improving controls over unauthorized entries, and stimulating diplomatic pressure on countries unwilling to cooperate with EU deportation efforts.
This new push for reform follows considerable criticism of the existing migration pact, which many believe was hastily approved by the EU without sufficient consensus among all member nations. Critics have labeled the pact as insufficiently addressing the root causes of migration and call it illegitimate due to the lack of ample voter expression before its adoption.
Crucially, the PfE also pledges to defend European cultural identity as part of their migration overhaul strategy. They argue against policies encouraging demographic fluctuations where member states must adapt to shifting races and cultures. This statement resonates with constituents wary of the cultural impacts stemming from large-scale immigration.
While the declaration puts forth the Patriots for Europe’s firmly held beliefs, it also leaves considerable room for debate within the existing European structures. Achieving consensus on such sweeping reforms will be challenging, especially considering the differences across EU member states over migration policies.
Simultaneously, this concerted push for migration reform is echoed by several key figures across Europe. Fidesz MEP Csaba Dömötör, for example, denounced the migration pact and criticized opposition parties, including the Democratic Coalition (DK) and the Tisza Party, for supporting the current agreement with the European People's Party (EPP). He asserted, "Mandatory solidarity is just another term for resettlement quotas" and argued it signals to millions globally they can move freely to Europe.
Under the proposed reforms, Dömötör noted, Hungary would once again be faced with establishing new camps to accelerate asylum procedures, which contradicts its government's longstanding policy of closing such facilities and maintaining stringent border controls. He believes the migration pact largely signals continuity of EU policies, which have historically been met with opposition from countries like Hungary and Poland.
Critics of the pact frequently voice concerns about its alignment with human rights, particularly as it pertains to professionals working with migrants. For example, concerns have been raised about the detention of children as part of screening and border procedures outlined within the new EU Pact on Migration and asylum, which many perceive as violating human rights standards.
Elina Hammarström, writing for the International Commission of Jurists, highlights how the new EU Pact fosters increased detention of migrants. Hammarström articulates serious concerns surrounding legal exclusions, especially considering the pact's push toward expedited processing of migration applications, potentially keeping individuals trapped at border facilities.
Overall, the discourse surrounding the migration policy reform highlights vast ideological divides across Europe. Moving forward, the increased presence and pushback from nationalist parties, such as the Patriots for Europe, not only signify the shifting landscapes of EU politics but also reflect the growing desire for member states to assert themselves within the fabric of EU governance.