BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Saturday claimed without evidence that European Union immigration policies were responsible for a deadly attack at a German Christmas market, using the tragedy to reinforce his anti-immigration stance.
Speaking to independent media in Budapest, Orbán expressed sympathy for victims of the Magdeburg attack, which killed five people and injured 200 others, before pivoting to criticize EU migration policies.
German authorities identified the suspect as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who has lived in Germany since 2006. The suspect, who described himself as a former Muslim, had shared anti-Islam content on social media.
“There is no doubt that there is a link” between migration and terrorism, Orbán claimed, asserting that such attacks only began after 2015’s refugee crisis. However, Europe has experienced numerous militant attacks before 2015, including the 2004 Madrid train bombings and 2005 London attacks.
The Hungarian leader alleged that EU leadership “wants Magdeburg to happen to Hungary too,” though he provided no evidence for this claim.
Orbán’s government has maintained strict anti-immigration policies since 2015, including building razor wire-topped fences along Hungary’s southern borders with Serbia and Croatia.
These policies have put Hungary at odds with the EU. In June, the European Court of Justice fined Hungary 200 million euros ($216 million) for violating EU asylum rules, plus 1 million euros daily until policies align with EU law.
“We will fight back against efforts to impose immigration policies on Hungary,” Orbán said Saturday, reiterating his previous stance that Hungary would not modify its policies despite EU court rulings.
The prime minister’s comments represent his latest clash with EU leadership over immigration policy, an issue he has consistently used to rally domestic support and challenge Brussels’ authority.
Hungary faces increasing pressure from the EU to reform its immigration policies, but Orbán’s government maintains that its strict border controls are essential for national security.
