Hungary's PM demands EU refund

Hungary wants at least half of the more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) it has spent on border protection to be reimbursed from European Union funds, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a video on his Facebook page ahead of a summit of European leaders in Brussels.

"We are not only protecting ourselves, but Europe as well. At least half of this sum should be reimbursed," he stated.


He added that Hungary would propose to EU leaders a "red card" procedure to enhance the sovereignty of national parliaments that would give national parliaments the power to stop debates in Europe if they are perceived to be violating national interests.

Civil rights groups have criticised Orban's government for cracking down on the rights of refugees and migrants.