Viktor Orban blasts EU migration pact as ‘another nail in the coffin’ – MASHAHER

The populist figure appeared to voice concern about the bloc’s efforts to harden border procedures and force the 27 member states to share responsibility.

Brussels’ deal also requires EU countries to take in thousands of asylum-seekers from frontline states, including Italy or Greece.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Mihaly Orban arrives for an EU Leaders

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Continental colleagues could instead provide money or other resources to the under-pressure nations.

Orban said: “The MigrationPact is another nail in the coffin of the European Union. Unity is dead, secure borders are no more.

“Hungary will never give in to the mass migration frenzy! We need a change in Brussels in order to StopMigration!”

Tusk added: “We will find … ways so that even if this pact enters into force in more or less the shape in which it was voted on today in the Parliament, we will protect Poland from the relocation mechanism.”

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The plan was backed by 322 MEPs, with 266 MEPs opposing the measures and 31 MEPs also abstaining.

Despite clear dividing lines emerging in Brussels, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomed this afternoon’s vote.

She said: “History made. We have delivered a robust legislative framework on how to deal with migration and asylum in the EU.

“It has been more than ten years in the making. But we kept our word. A balance between solidarity and responsibility. This is the European way.”

French populist Jordan Bardella, who emerged as Marine Le Pen’s right-hand man in the National Rally, reiterated his concern about the plan and issued a warning to Emmanuel Macron ahead of the EU Parliamentary Elections.

He said: “Supported by Emmanuel Macron, the terrible European Migration Pact, which imposes the distribution of migrants in our municipalities under penalty of financial sanctions, has just been adopted.

“On June 9, let’s impose the heaviest possible defeat on it and refuse this submergence project!”

However, human rights groups have also criticised the EU’s centralised plan.

Eve Geddie, Amnesty International’s head of the European institutions office, argued: “EU institutions are now shamefully co-signing an agreement that they know will lead to greater human suffering.”

She added: “This pact is a failure to show global leadership on refugee protection and building safe, fair and dignified pathways for people to reach Europe – whether in search of safety or of opportunity.”