The question “Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of parliament?” was approved by the National Election Committee in late February.

Four appeals were made against the committee’s approval to the Kúria, Hungary’s supreme court, and these were rejected in early May.

Parliament approved the initiative on May 10 with 136 votes in favour by the allied ruling Fidesz and Christian Democratic parties, and opposition Jobbik. Five independent lawmakers voted against. The Constitutional Court already rejected appeals against the Kuria’s decision on the initiative on June 21.

Later further complaints were made, including one by Socialist MEP Tibor Szanyi, in which he argued that the referendum question is not in the competency of the national parliament, but of the European Parliament and European Council.

This argument was rejected in a ruling dated July 12, on the ground that Szanyi had not based his complaint on any constitutional right which could have been infringed.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.