Early last week, PM Victor Orbán declared that the refugee camp in Debrecen - the biggest asylum camp in Hungary - will be closed by October 20th. On its territory, there is also a large detention facility which is scheduled for closure in December. While the 200 people currently living in the camp will be distributed among the other, smaller camps in Hungary, it seems that the closure is supposed to indicate the increasing inability (and unwillingness) of the Hungarian government to receive and accommodate people seeking international protection. The decision is as controversial as it is dangerous. So let us share our interpretation of the government’s objectives and present some alternative demands in turn.
For one, there are strategic reasons. Orbán is appeasing the mayor of Debrecen, a major political ally, by following up on a promise he made in May to “improve” the situation and close the camp. It does not seem to be entirely clear what the space of the camp will be used for. There have been rumors about plans of building a new shopping-mall on its territory as well as ideas about housing the riot police in the abandoned camp. At the same time, Fidesz continues to appeal to right-wing voters. Towards this end, the closure of the camp instigates and seeks to politically instrumentalize the (alleged) public unease with a big refugee camp.
For one, there are strategic reasons. Orbán is appeasing the mayor of Debrecen, a major political ally, by following up on a promise he made in May to “improve” the situation and close the camp. It does not seem to be entirely clear what the space of the camp will be used for. There have been rumors about plans of building a new shopping-mall on its territory as well as ideas about housing the riot police in the abandoned camp. At the same time, Fidesz continues to appeal to right-wing voters. Towards this end, the closure of the camp instigates and seeks to politically instrumentalize the (alleged) public unease with a big refugee camp.
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