The European Union is considering the possibility of expelling Hungary from the Schengen Zone due to its recent decision to ease visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens.
A growing backlash has emerged against Hungary’s move to simplify visa requirements, which includes a new national card program for extended stays and work permits. This policy change, which followed a visit to Moscow by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has drawn sharp criticism from EU lawmakers.
The lawmakers have also suggested that if Hungary does not amend its policy, the European Commission and EU representatives should consider new measures to protect European citizens. This could include increased border controls at Hungary’s borders and the possibility for other EU states to not recognize Hungarian visas.
The letter, which has collected nearly 70 signatures, including from former Belgian and Irish prime ministers, highlights the escalating tensions within the EU over Hungary’s foreign policy decisions.
[Edit typo.]
In this point I strongly disagree. Orban has been the first to close Hungarian borders for refugees, and he has been doing that in the same uncooperative manner as he is now relaxing visa rules for Russians. If he is seeking to let highly qualified people in, he could have done that on many occasions in the past ten or so years, but he didn’t. And now he is relaxing visa rules exactly for Russia? I can’t believe that. I don’t think Orban does this to help Russians or for the economy.
Orban is primarily an opportunistic populist. If he can score some brownie points with his russophile supporters and the same time score a nice boost to the local IT industry by inviting in highly qualified Russian experts, he will do so.