Hungarian referendum on distribution of migration quotas. What about the European solidarity

Abstract

The principle of solidarity in the European Union is one of the fundamental norms of the EU and is understood as an incentive for the creation of social bonds among the Europeans and for the European unity, unity of generations and solidarity among Member States (Ross, 2018, p. 5). The European solidarity is perceived as a fundamental norm “based on sharing both the advantages, i.e. prosperity, and the burdens equally and justly among members” (Solidarity principle, 2011). The European Treaties explicitly refer to this fundamental principle in many provisions, including the values (Art. 2 TEU) or objectives of the European Union (Art. 3 TEU) and particular policies where the ‘principle’ or ‘spirit’ of solidarity is to be applied (Eg Arts 80, 122 and 194 TFEU). Thus, we may state that so called idea of European solidarity is present in the legal framework of the EU, as well as a well-established constitutional tradition in some Member States (Ross, 2018, p. 5). The debate devoted to European solidarity saw a significant boost since 2008, when many European countries (see: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece) were hit by the global economic crisis (Kontochristou, Mascha, 2014, p. 50). The EU Member States from the South of Europe have been mostly affected by the economic and financial crisis. Undoubtedly, their governments efforts to minimalize the consequences of the crisis have led to deep institutional changes and turning points for the welfare state or labor relations. The Eurozone crisis has left Greece in a biggest recession ever. It seems, since 2010 the EU has been facing the worst economic crises in its history. “At the same time, Europe has been flooded with millions of migrants and refugees fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, triggering strong domestic opposition and straining the economic and political resources of EU member-states” (Europe in Crisis...). Three years since the peak of the crisis, there are many opinions that the biggest in Union’s history migration crisis still threatens to ruin the EU. In spite of the fact that the numbers have sharply dropped down from their peak in 2015–2016, tens of thousands of people are still trying to reach Europe. “Many observers believe it is only a matter of time before the number of arrivals picks up signifi-