Document on migration to Hungary causes uproar

Zsolt Semjén, chairman of the Christian Democratic People's Party, called on Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement József Petrétei to resign following the leaking of a confidential document Semjén and other critics said shows the government plans to encourage as many as a million foreign national to migrate to Hungary. The document was published on the website of main opposition party Fidesz earlier today.

According to the cover page of the document, it is "not to be made public for 10 years from January 17, 2007."

Petrétei said that the document had not been created by any decision-making body controlled by the government. "I don't know how this document became public. We will launch an investigation into this case at the ministry," he added.

The document states that "only a heightened immigration process can ensure the consolidation of population growth. This assumes… the necessity of several hundred thousand or even millions of people of foreign origin being integrated. Based on current trends, this part of the population will most likely be made up of migrants from Asian countries."

While underscoring the need for a large number of migrants, the document also points out the possible negative effects of such a demographic transformation. In addition, it calls the potential for a mass migration of ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring countries to Hungary "an extremely sensitive problem." It stresses that a solution should be found that does not result in the disappearance of Hungarian communities outside the borders.

Semjén said that if Petrétei had known about the document then he is morally obliged to step down, while if he did not know about it, is guilty of incompetence.

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