Populist Czech government rejects EU migration pact
Prague, Czech Republic — The newly formed coalition government in the Czech Republic has announced its rejection of the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, signaling a tougher stance on migration policy under Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Babiš said his government intends to refuse the implementation of the EU pact and instead draft alternative national regulations on migration and asylum. He stressed that Prague would still engage in discussions with other EU member states, but with a focus on finding “real solutions” to migration challenges outside the territory of the European Union.
The decision has sparked debate within the country. Former Interior Minister Vít Rakušan warned that rejecting the pact could weaken the Czech Republic’s ability to combat irregular migration, as neighboring countries would continue to rely on shared EU mechanisms provided by the agreement.
The Czech position aligns with that of Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has also refused to implement the pact, stating that his government would not allocate funds to it. Poland and Slovakia were among the other countries that voiced opposition during negotiations.
Approved by EU governments in May 2024, the Pact on Migration and Asylum seeks to reform border procedures and ensure a more balanced distribution of asylum seekers among member states. Despite its adoption, the pact continues to face resistance from several governments in Central Europe.
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