Kosa: Fidesz launches signature drive against EU’s mandatory migrant quota

Budapest, November 4 (MTI) – Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party will launch a signature drive to gather support for its policy of opposing European Union mandatory migrant quotas, the party’s group leader told a news conference on Wednesday.

Lajos Kosa said the system to redistribute migrants among EU member states was “pointless” and would increase the risk of terrorism and crime. Further, he insisted that the scheme contravened international treaties and would not be a solution to the “modern-day invasion”.

The main target countries of migrants entering Europe illegally are Germany, Denmark and Sweden, Kosa said. “These people cannot be kept here by force unless we somehow guard them.” Otherwise “they will neglect all legal regulations” and return to their desired country, Kosa said.

Nobody has been asked in Europe whether they support the compulsory settlement of migrants, he said, adding Hungary may have to accept over 160,000 migrants — the size of a city like Szeged — over the next five years.

People who agree the quota system lacks a legal basis and goes contrary to the interests of Hungary and the EU will be asked to express support for Fidesz’s petition, the party’s MEP Ildiko Gall told the press conference.