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(Bloomberg) — Poland and Hungary, former political allies that are now at opposite ends of the spectrum, rejected contentious new European Union legislation on the hot-button issue of migration.<\/p>\n
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Poland\u2019s Donald Tusk and Hungary\u2019s Viktor Orban separately issued strong condemnations after the European Parliament on Wednesday adopted a text aimed at managing arrivals to the continent. The strong words highlighted the perceived political risks of embracing any solution on an issue that\u2019s become a rallying point for nationalists, especially ahead of EU-wide elections in June. Slovakia\u2019s government has also rejected the legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe #MigrationPact is another nail in the coffin of the European Union,\u201d Orban, whose country takes over the bloc\u2019s rotating presidency in July, said on X. \u201cHungary will never give in to the mass migration frenzy! We need a change in Brussels in order to #StopMigration!\u201d<\/p>\n
Read more: EU Clears Way for New Immigration Rules Ahead of Elections<\/p>\n
While the statement from Orban was predictable, it was Tusk \u2014 who returned to power in Poland last year with the goal of rolling back nationalism and restoring liberal democracy \u2014 who showed the political toxicity of the issue even for centrists. He said he\u2019d find ways to exempt Poland from a mechanism that relocates migrants from front-line countries like Greece and Italy or otherwise obliges them to pay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have certain possibilities or abilities to build certain alliances and there will certainly be no mechanism for relocation or paying for not accepting\u201d migrants, Tusk told reporters in parliament.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unlikely that the countries will be able to assemble enough support to block the deal, which requires the backing of a qualified majority of member states. EU member states are expected to formally approve it at the end of April.<\/p>\n
The legislation, the culmination of a decade of difficult negotiations between the bloc\u2019s 27 member states and the EU assembly, was also criticized by more liberal parties for being too tough on would-be immigrants and asylum seekers.<\/p>\n
–With assistance from Daniel Hornak.<\/p>\n
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