EU Approves Landmark Migration Reform Amidst Dissent from Poland and Hungary

The European Union has finalized a historic reform of its migration and asylum policy, achieving a milestone that had eluded the bloc for nearly a decade. The new regulations, part of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, aim to create a fair and predictable system for handling asylum seekers, ensuring that all member states share the responsibility. Not all member states approve of the new legislation.

EU member states voted on five regulations that make up the New Pact on Migration and Asylum this week in Brussels. The comprehensive overhaul includes stricter screening rules, health and security checks, expedited procedures, and free counseling for applicants. A key feature is the introduction of "mandatory solidarity," requiring countries to either relocate a set number of asylum seekers, pay €20,000 per rejected applicant, or provide operational support. The initial target is 30,000 relocations per year.

Significant opposition
Despite its ambitious goals, the New Pact faced significant opposition. Poland and Hungary, staunch critics of the mandatory solidarity system, voted against the entire package. Since the reform's proposal in 2020, they have argued that it would force them to accept migrants against their will. The Czech Republic and Slovakia abstained on most of the legislation, while Austria opposed the Crisis Regulation.
However, the reform only required a qualified majority to pass, allowing it to move forward and be formally ratified. This marks one of the most significant achievements of the current EU mandate.
Southern member states, feeling overwhelmed by the influx of migrants, have long called for more support. Western and northern countries demanded stronger border enforcement and accountability, while eastern states resisted any form of relocation quota.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking at an event in Milan this week, highlighted the ongoing resistance from various EU nations. "Hungary is not the only EU Member State to say no to the distribution of migrants," she noted, pointing out that countries like France and Germany have also been reluctant to accept large numbers of migrants from Italy.
Humanitarian organizations were divided on the New Pact. Amnesty International criticized it for potentially degrading the asylum process and increasing suffering, while Oxfam saw it as a "glimmer of hope" for a coordinated, protection-centered approach to resettlement.

What comes next
"This package goes a long way," said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. "It will not magically solve every issue overnight, but it is ten giant leaps forward."
The final step for the New Pact is its publication in the EU's official journal. It will take two years to fully implement. Enforcement and compliance will then be crucial, particularly given Poland and Hungary's vocal opposition. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already declared the pact a threat to EU unity, vowing that Hungary will resist the new rules.
Polish leader Donald Tusk has also condemned the New Pact, maintaining that it is "unacceptable" for Poland. He promised to protect Poland from the relocation mechanism, continuing the hardline stance of his predecessor.
The success of the New Pact will hinge on the willingness of all member states to comply. If countries begin to ignore the rules, the system of mandatory solidarity could quickly fall apart, undermining the entire reform effort.
As the EU moves forward, the focus will be on ensuring that the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility are upheld, maintaining unity and addressing the complex challenges of migration in a fair and effective manner.