Difficult Times for the EU: Hungary Asked to be Kicked out of the Union

• 09.13.2016, 20:19
•  Europe,  World

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Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has called for Hungary to be suspended or even expelled from the European Union because of its "massive violation" of EU fundamental values.

He cited the Budapest government's treatment of refugees, independence of the judiciary and freedom of the press.

"We cannot accept the founding principles of the EU being violated," Asselborn told Die Welt in an interview published Tuesday. Asselborn said refugees are being treated "nearly as bad as animals" and that anyone hoping to breach Hungary's "ever longer, ever taller" fence may face the worst.

"Hungary is not far from an order to shoot refugees," Asselborn said.

In response, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hit back, saying that his Luxembourg counterpart had "long left the ranks of politicians who could be taken seriously". Mr Asselborn was a "frivolous character", he said, adding that he was "patronising, arrogant and frustrated", BBC reports.

In turn, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier sought to distance himself from his Luxembourg counterpart's comments.

"This is not an agreed position in Europe," he said. "I can understand, looking at Hungary, that some in Europe are getting impatient... however, it is not my personal approach to show a European member state the door," he added, Deutsche Welle informs.

Hungary was the first EU country to block entry to refugees to Europe, initially erecting a fence along the border with Serbia last September and then by barring passage from Croatia a month later. Hungary also brought in new laws punishing illegal entry and vandalism of the fences. These have led to almost 3,000 convictions in fast-track trials, most resulting in expulsion orders.

Besides Hungary, Austria, which initially followed Germany by responding compassionately to refugees, now backs its Eastern neighbor in calling for an Hungarian-style solution to the migration problem.

However, in just a few days, on September 16, an informal EU summit will be held in Bratislava, Slovakia. EU leaders will come together to discuss the future of the European Union, particularly in light of Britain's Brexit vote. The refugee crisis will be another top theme, of course.