Hungary’s PM-Elect Péter Magyar Set for Migration Clash With Brussels

Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, is facing an immediate confrontation with the European Union over the landmark Pact on Migration and Asylum. A European Commission report released on Friday reveals that Budapest is failing to meet core requirements of the overhaul, including the upgrade of the Eurodac database and the establishment of legal counseling for asylum seekers. While Magyar has sought to improve ties with Brussels to unlock frozen funds, he remains firm in his refusal to accept mandatory relocation mechanisms. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar reacts during the inaugural session of the new Parliament and the ceremonial swearing in of representatives in Budapest on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Hungary’s Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar is heading for a potential clash with Brussels over the EU’s landmark migration pact, just weeks before the sweeping overhaul enters into force in June.  A European Commission progress update,  released  on Friday, shows Budapest already lagging behind on several core parts of the Pact on Migration and Asylum ,  agreed in 2024.   Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Magyar, who has pledged to reset  relations with the EU  while keeping a hard line on migration,  said  last month that Hungary “will not accept any pact or allocation mechanism” on asylum and migration.   Budapest is also behind on preparations for the upgraded Eurodac fingerprint database, has yet to request its share of the €3 billion set aside for implementation, and has not started key testing procedures. The report also criticises Hungary for failing to notify where border procedures would take place, not submitting parts of its contingency planning to the EU asylum agency, and – alongside Slovakia – refusing to contribute to the pact’s first ‘ solidarity pool ‘, the new burden-sharing mechanism included in the pact.  Hungary is also listed among the EU countries that still need to put in place arrangements for free legal counselling for asylum seekers.  Asked what the Commission could do to ensure Hungary complies with the pact, a spokesperson sidestepped questions about possible enforcement tools, saying the EU executive would “not be speculating on the actions of an incoming government that has yet to start”.  Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Celebrates Europe Day as ‘Inseparable Part’ of European Family On May 9, Ukraine celebrated Europe Day alongside the EU, with President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring the nation an “inseparable part of the European family”. The head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov added that Ukraine currently embodies the “true Europe” both territorially and ideologically by defending continental values against tyranny. The holiday, established by presidential decree in 2023, coincides with a fragile three-day humanitarian ceasefire intended to facilitate a major prisoner exchange. The Commission added that it “will continue working with the new government once it’s in place,” including migration matters.  Magyar visited Brussels in late April for talks with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen aimed at unlocking billions in EU funds frozen over rule-of-law concerns during the Orbán era.   See the original report from Nicoletta Ionta  here. Euractiv is a European news website focused on EU policies. It was founded in 1999 by the French media publisher Christophe Leclercq. The website's headquarters and central editorial staff are located in Brussels, with offices in Paris and Berlin.