Latest news with #MigrationPact
Gulf Insider
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Hungary Sues European Commission Over €1 Million-A-Day
The Hungarian government has launched a legal challenge against the European Commission's decision to impose a daily €1 million fine over the country's refusal to accept illegal migrants. György Bakondi, the chief security advisor to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, announced on Wednesday that Budapest will file a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice. Appearing on TV2's 'Mokka' program, Bakondi said Hungary will not comply with the European Union's new Migration Pact, which he described as 'a clear call for illegal immigrants to be allowed in.' He emphasized that Hungary remains committed to its sovereignty and national security, and refuses to be pressured into taking in individuals who entered the bloc unlawfully. The lawsuit will be led by a team of lawyers with what Bakondi called 'a serious reputation,' including two former members of the European Court of Justice. Hungary's resistance to EU migration policy is not new. In 2015, the country faced a surge of more than 400,000 illegal border crossings within two months. In response, the government implemented border fences and legal restrictions to halt the flow. Officials credited these measures with preventing the emergence of terrorist threats, no-go zones, and the overburdening of public services. In a national referendum in 2016, 98 percent of those who voted rejected the proposal to allow the European Union to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary without parliamentary approval. The referendum had a 44 percent turnout, under the 50 percent threshold required to be considered valid. Click here to read more Also read: Ukraine Funds Left-Wing Smear Campaign to Oust Hungary's Orbán
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Factbox-Poland election: what you need to know
By Marta Maciag, Canan Sevgili and Julia Kotowska (Reuters) - Poland will hold the first round of a presidential election on May 18, setting the scene for a vote that will be crucial for the pro-European government's hopes of implementing its reformist agenda. The election pits liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a senior member of the ruling Civic Platform party (PO), against historian Karol Nawrocki, who runs Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, and far-right Slawomir Mentzen. Here is a guide to the election, including candidate profiles and key issues: WHAT'S AT STAKE? Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition came to power in 2023, vowing to undo the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government's judicial reforms that critics said eroded the rule of law. However, its efforts have been hampered by former nationalist PiS government ally President Andrzej Duda, who has the power to veto legislation. HOW DOES THE ELECTION WORK? Voters will select the president for a five-year term through a two-round system. If no candidate scores more than 50% in the first round, a run-off will be held between the top two contenders on June 1. Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms. Duda's second term ends on August 6. Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 9 p.m. on May 18. Around 29 million people are eligible to vote. Exit polls will be published shortly after voting ends. Partial results will trickle in throughout the evening on Sunday and on Monday. WHO ARE CANDIDATES? Rafal Trzaskowski The frontrunner, 53-year-old Trzaskowski has served as the mayor of Warsaw since 2018. He was narrowly defeated by Duda in the 2020 presidential vote. Trzaskowski's main proposals include increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP, liberalising abortion laws and developing Poland's arms and technology industry, as well as ensuring Poland has a strong position in the European Union. Karol Nawrocki A conservative historian, 42, Nawrocki is backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which lost power to Tusk in 2023. Between 2017-21, he ran the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, in northern Poland. He wants to see lower taxes, a withdrawal from the European Union's Migration Pact and Green Deal, and is critical of giving more rights to LGBT couples. Like Trzaskowski, he wants to allocate 5% of GDP to defence. He is currently polling in second place. Slawomir Mentzen Far-right candidate Slawomir Mentzen, 38, runs a tax advisory firm and is a vocal critic of government regulation. His key proposals include significant tax cuts, withdrawing from the European Green Deal and opposing more gay rights. He believes Poland should avoid taking on excessive military or financial responsibilities in the Ukraine-Russia war. He wants to prioritise Poland's sovereignty by ensuring its constitution overrides EU laws. He is currently polling in third place. Szymon Holownia The speaker of Poland's lower house of parliament, 48-year-old Holownia previously worked as a journalist and television presenter. He founded the political movement Polska 2050, a centrist grouping that is now part of the governing coalition. Holownia's key proposals include promoting regional development, improving public transport and increasing access to affordable housing. He wants to reduce bureaucracy, support Polish businesses, and develop Poland's domestic arms production capabilities. The left Three leftist candidates are also in the race, with 43-year-old Magdalena Biejat, Deputy Senate Speaker, having the highest support. She is one of the most vocal proponents of women's and minority rights, and wants to allow access to abortion after a near-total ban on the procedure was introduced under PiS. Biejat's proposals focus on reducing poverty, increasing public sector wages and making housing more affordable. Her programme is similar to that of 45-year-old Adrian Zandberg, head of the Razem (Together) party. The last leftist candidate is 76-year-old Joanna Senyszyn, an academic, lawmaker and former member of the Polish United Workers' Party which ran the country until the fall of Communism. Other candidates Also running in a 13-candidate field is the far-right's Grzegorz Braun, who in 2023 used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament, an incident that caused international outrage. Another candidate is 42-year-old Krzysztof Stanowski, a journalists and YouTuber, who has no political programme and says he wants to show people the campaign behind the scenes and raise money for charities.
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Poland election: what you need to know
May 13 (Reuters) - Poland will hold the first round of a presidential election on May 18, setting the scene for a vote that will be crucial for the pro-European government's hopes of implementing its reformist agenda. The election pits liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a senior member of the ruling Civic Platform party (PO), against historian Karol Nawrocki, who runs Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, and far-right Slawomir Mentzen. Here is a guide to the election, including candidate profiles and key issues: Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition came to power in 2023, vowing to undo the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government's judicial reforms that critics said eroded the rule of law. However, its efforts have been hampered by former nationalist PiS government ally President Andrzej Duda, who has the power to veto legislation. Voters will select the president for a five-year term through a two-round system. If no candidate scores more than 50% in the first round, a run-off will be held between the top two contenders on June 1. Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms. Duda's second term ends on August 6. Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 9 p.m. on May 18. Around 29 million people are eligible to vote. Exit polls will be published shortly after voting ends. Partial results will trickle in throughout the evening on Sunday and on Monday. Rafal Trzaskowski The frontrunner, 53-year-old Trzaskowski has served as the mayor of Warsaw since 2018. He was narrowly defeated by Duda in the 2020 presidential vote. Trzaskowski's main proposals include increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP, liberalising abortion laws and developing Poland's arms and technology industry, as well as ensuring Poland has a strong position in the European Union. Karol Nawrocki A conservative historian, 42, Nawrocki is backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which lost power to Tusk in 2023. Between 2017-21, he ran the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, in northern Poland. He wants to see lower taxes, a withdrawal from the European Union's Migration Pact and Green Deal, and is critical of giving more rights to LGBT couples. Like Trzaskowski, he wants to allocate 5% of GDP to defence. He is currently polling in second place. Slawomir Mentzen Far-right candidate Slawomir Mentzen, 38, runs a tax advisory firm and is a vocal critic of government regulation. His key proposals include significant tax cuts, withdrawing from the European Green Deal and opposing more gay rights. He believes Poland should avoid taking on excessive military or financial responsibilities in the Ukraine-Russia war. He wants to prioritise Poland's sovereignty by ensuring its constitution overrides EU laws. He is currently polling in third place. Szymon Holownia The speaker of Poland's lower house of parliament, 48-year-old Holownia previously worked as a journalist and television presenter. He founded the political movement Polska 2050, a centrist grouping that is now part of the governing coalition. Holownia's key proposals include promoting regional development, improving public transport and increasing access to affordable housing. He wants to reduce bureaucracy, support Polish businesses, and develop Poland's domestic arms production capabilities. The left Three leftist candidates are also in the race, with 43-year-old Magdalena Biejat, Deputy Senate Speaker, having the highest support. She is one of the most vocal proponents of women's and minority rights, and wants to allow access to abortion after a near-total ban on the procedure was introduced under PiS. Biejat's proposals focus on reducing poverty, increasing public sector wages and making housing more affordable. Her programme is similar to that of 45-year-old Adrian Zandberg, head of the Razem (Together) party. The last leftist candidate is 76-year-old Joanna Senyszyn, an academic, lawmaker and former member of the Polish United Workers' Party which ran the country until the fall of Communism. Other candidates Also running in a 13-candidate field is the far-right's Grzegorz Braun, opens new tab, who in 2023 used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament, an incident that caused international outrage. Another candidate is 42-year-old Krzysztof Stanowski, a journalists and YouTuber, who has no political programme and says he wants to show people the campaign behind the scenes and raise money for charities.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Poland election: what you need to know
Civic Coalition presidential candidate, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and his wife Malgorzata gesture during an election rally in Plock, Poland, May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel Poland election: what you need to know Poland will hold the first round of a presidential election on May 18, setting the scene for a vote that will be crucial for the pro-European government's hopes of implementing its reformist agenda. The election pits liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a senior member of the ruling Civic Platform party (PO), against historian Karol Nawrocki, who runs Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, and far-right Slawomir Mentzen. Here is a guide to the election, including candidate profiles and key issues: WHAT'S AT STAKE? Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition came to power in 2023, vowing to undo the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government's judicial reforms that critics said eroded the rule of law. However, its efforts have been hampered by former nationalist PiS government ally President Andrzej Duda, who has the power to veto legislation. HOW DOES THE ELECTION WORK? Voters will select the president for a five-year term through a two-round system. If no candidate scores more than 50% in the first round, a run-off will be held between the top two contenders on June 1. Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms. Duda's second term ends on August 6. Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 9 p.m. on May 18. Around 29 million people are eligible to vote. Exit polls will be published shortly after voting ends. Partial results will trickle in throughout the evening on Sunday and on Monday. WHO ARE CANDIDATES? Rafal Trzaskowski The frontrunner, 53-year-old Trzaskowski has served as the mayor of Warsaw since 2018. He was narrowly defeated by Duda in the 2020 presidential vote. Trzaskowski's main proposals include increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP, liberalising abortion laws and developing Poland's arms and technology industry, as well as ensuring Poland has a strong position in the European Union. Karol Nawrocki A conservative historian, 42, Nawrocki is backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which lost power to Tusk in 2023. Between 2017-21, he ran the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, in northern Poland. He wants to see lower taxes, a withdrawal from the European Union's Migration Pact and Green Deal, and is critical of giving more rights to LGBT couples. Like Trzaskowski, he wants to allocate 5% of GDP to defence. He is currently polling in second place. Slawomir Mentzen Far-right candidate Slawomir Mentzen, 38, runs a tax advisory firm and is a vocal critic of government regulation. His key proposals include significant tax cuts, withdrawing from the European Green Deal and opposing more gay rights. He believes Poland should avoid taking on excessive military or financial responsibilities in the Ukraine-Russia war. He wants to prioritise Poland's sovereignty by ensuring its constitution overrides EU laws. He is currently polling in third place. Szymon Holownia The speaker of Poland's lower house of parliament, 48-year-old Holownia previously worked as a journalist and television presenter. He founded the political movement Polska 2050, a centrist grouping that is now part of the governing coalition. Holownia's key proposals include promoting regional development, improving public transport and increasing access to affordable housing. He wants to reduce bureaucracy, support Polish businesses, and develop Poland's domestic arms production capabilities. The left Three leftist candidates are also in the race, with 43-year-old Magdalena Biejat, Deputy Senate Speaker, having the highest support. She is one of the most vocal proponents of women's and minority rights, and wants to allow access to abortion after a near-total ban on the procedure was introduced under PiS. Biejat's proposals focus on reducing poverty, increasing public sector wages and making housing more affordable. Her programme is similar to that of 45-year-old Adrian Zandberg, head of the Razem (Together) party. The last leftist candidate is 76-year-old Joanna Senyszyn, an academic, lawmaker and former member of the Polish United Workers' Party which ran the country until the fall of Communism. Other candidates Also running in a 13-candidate field is the far-right's Grzegorz Braun, who in 2023 used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament, an incident that caused international outrage. Another candidate is 42-year-old Krzysztof Stanowski, a journalists and YouTuber, who has no political programme and says he wants to show people the campaign behind the scenes and raise money for charities. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Euronews
03-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
'We do have a problem' with integration of immigrants, Swedish PM tells Euronews
ADVERTISEMENT The Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, says there is an "absolute need to get control on migration," in an interview with Euronews. He reiterated his proposal to significantly increase the amount of money Sweden offers to migrants as a financial incentive to leave the country. The current grant is €900 per adult. However, this initiative has had limited success so far. In 2023, only one out of 70 applications was approved, according to the Swedish Migration Agency. To reverse this trend, a new government proposal would raise the amount to €32,000, an increase of 3,400%. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, 20 March, 2025 AP Photo Though the concept of financial incentives for voluntary return has been in place for decades, Kristersson said he is now taking inspiration from Denmark, which has set a target group of 22,000 people. "We are copying basically the Danish model and raising that sum pretty significantly to make it easier for those who realise that they would prefer to go back to their own country, they do not for different reasons feel that they find a well-functioning life in Sweden," he said. Kristersson acknowledged that the method would not appeal to many, but highlighted the underlying issue. "I don't think that would be a method that works for very many people, but we do have a problem with integration, and if people who have a legal right to stay in Sweden but basically do not integrate, basically do not really appreciate the Swedish way of life, then at least people would think about returning to their country of origin." The proposal is set to take effect on 1 January 2026. A policeman watches over a queue of newly arrived migrants at Hyllie station outside Malmö, 19 November, 2015 AP Photo Kristersson also expressed strong support for a regulated migration policy, such as the EU's Migration Pact, and emphasised that rejected asylum seekers should not remain in Europe. "Right now, we have some 80% of those have a negative decision on asylum, nevertheless they stay in Europe. That is simply unacceptable in Sweden. We have managed that, I think we have now some 20% staying even though they shouldn't by those who have had the negative decision. So we absolutely need to get control of the migration." He noted that attitudes across Europe are shifting dramatically, which may make political decisions on migration policy easier. The European Commission has recently proposed measures to make the repatriation of irregular migrants more effective.
