European Leaders Revisit Migration Policies amid Rising Tensions
Well, well, well! If it isn’t the issue that just won’t take a hint—migration policy in Europe. Just five months after the adoption of a monumental migration pact, here they are again, like the worst ex you’ve ever had, still “just checking in.” During a summit in Brussels, European leaders decided that, apparently, tighter immigration policies are still the order of the day. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis lobbed a plea for “thinking outside the box.” Outside the box? At this point, it feels like they’re stuck in the box, trying to figure out who’s taking the last chocolate from the mini-fridge.
They’re floating ideas like “return hubs,” which sounds more like a new transportation initiative than a viable migration solution. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be sent to an “off-site” reception center? Sounds suspiciously similar to what my mates call a ‘hotel without a check-in desk.’ As Giorgia Meloni’s Italy pioneers this strategy in Albania, the question remains—are these centers genuinely helping anyone or are they just a convenient way to kick the can down the road?
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany popped by and gave his two cents, noting that these centers are merely a “drop in the bucket” — and here I was, thinking Germany was good at constructing solid things! Spain is having none of it and is battling against the idea, while France politely suggests organizing returns “when conditions permit.” Essentially, they’re saying “let’s tackle this when we’re in the mood,” which sounds awfully familiar, does it not?
A European diplomat chimed in, stating that the discussions are “very vague and preliminary.” No plans? Come on, Europe! It’s about time we did something more than plan to plan! Meanwhile, the Italians—rallying around Meloni—are gathering like it’s a pizza party to brainstorm “innovative solutions.” I can already hear the Italian ambitions ringing in my ears over my spaghetti.
The Complexity of Coherence
To add to this delightful mess, Viktor Orban’s Hungary is sitting at the table with the rotating EU presidency. Hungary hosting discussions about immigration is like a cat hosting a conference on dog behavior—cute in theory, but you know things will get hairy. And here’s a kicker—last May, the European Union adopted a pact for migration and asylum that only gains implementation traction in 2026! It’s like promising a kid an ice cream cone at Christmas and then giving them a frosty stare in October.
Of course, with rising far-right sentiments gaining momentum, it’s shockingly easy to see why migration is rearing its ugly head. Marine Le Pen is practically skipping through Brussels, targeting the newly compliant ears of some politicians, saying, “See, we told you so!” To them, simplifying expulsion rules is simply the hot new trend. You’ve got the Franco-German duo driving this push, while Ursula von der Leyen is taking a stab at revamping the 2008 “return directive”—the one that flopped harder than a sitcom with no laugh track.
But heck, good news everyone! They’ve seen a reduction in illegal crossings as per Frontex, which is not so much a reason to pop open the bubbly as it is an indication that the entire situation remains… well, complex. Just when you thought the ship was steady, the waters remain turbulent.
Turning Tides, But Can They Row?
As tensions simmer in Brussels, here we find Macron, who’s currently swimming upstream with economic woes in France and a cabinet looking weaker than a broken chair leg. And, of course, we have a looming visit from Volodymyr Zelensky, ready to encourage European unity over supporting Ukraine while de-escalation in the Middle East lingers like that odd smell coming from the fridge—nobody knows where it’s coming from, but we all agree it’s best not to dwell on it.
But the pièce de résistance will undoubtedly be the immigration discussions—which promise to be the most sensitive topic. If history has taught us anything, it’s that there will be a lot of hot air, but not much consensus. Here’s hoping they can cobble together some semblance of an agreement, or else we may be looking at a very entertaining reality TV show where Europe’s top leaders are cast as the inventive but hopeless castaways.
So, buckle up, folks. Whether they’re grappling with migrant returns, clashing opinions, or the odd pizza summit, one thing’s for sure—the saga of European migration policy continues, and it’s about as predictable as a cat at a dog show!
Only five months after the adoption of the pact on immigration, European leaders are already looking into a further tightening of migration policy, Thursday October 17, during a summit in Brussels.
Expulsions of irregular migrants “are the missing link” in European migration policy. “We have to think outside the box,” pleaded Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis upon his arrival.
European leaders must in particular debate the flammable proposal for “return hubs”, transfers of migrants to reception centers in third countries, as Giorgia Meloni’s Italy is starting to do in Albania.
These centers are only a “drop in the bucket” and do not represent “a solution” for “big countries” like Germany, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz, presenting himself to the press.
Spain is opposed to it, while France, cautiously, calls for “promoting returns when conditions permit”, “rather than organizing returns to hubs in third countries”, according to the Élysée.
The discussion is “very vague and preliminary”, there is “no plan” on these hubs, adds a European diplomat, who does not expect “any major decisions” from this summit.
On the offensive, the Italians organized around Giorgia Meloni an informal meeting to promote these “innovative solutions” against immigration, with around ten countries including the Netherlands, Greece, Austria, Poland and Hungary.
Nationalist Viktor Orban’s Hungary is at the head of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of December and will host the next summit on November 8 in Budapest.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni answers questions from journalists in Brussels, October 16, 2024. © Ludovic Marin, AFP
In May, the European Union adopted the migration and asylum pact, supposed to come into force in mid-2026, with a tightening of “filtering” at borders and a solidarity mechanism between the 27 in the care of asylum seekers. .
Countries like Germany and France are pleading to accelerate its implementation.
“To the right”
And migration issues are coming back to shake up the agenda, pushed in particular by far-right parties, on the rise in many European countries.
Some in the EU “hear what we have been saying for years”, rejoiced the leader of the French far right Marine Le Pen, passing through Brussels for a meeting of Patriots for Europe, the third force policy of the European Parliament after the June elections.
Several governments have raised their voices and are calling for the rules on expulsion of irregular migrants to be simplified. The “Franco-German engine pushes us to act”, according to a European diplomat.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed with them on Monday in a letter to the 27. She is proposing a new law which would revise the 2008 “return directive”, in order to facilitate deportations at the borders.
A similar initiative failed in 2018, but “six years later, the debate has evolved”, “towards the right” of the political spectrum, notes a European official.
This toughening of the tone comes as the number of illegal crossings detected at the borders of the European Union fell by 42% over the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the European Surveillance Agency Frontex borders.
This summit also takes place during a transition phase in Brussels, where the new team of the European Commission should take office at the beginning of December.
It is marked by the difficulties of several European leaders in their countries, particularly Emmanuel Macron, weakened by the explosion of deficits in France and the fragile connection with the new Prime Minister Michel Barnier, from the right and without a majority in the National Assembly.
Support for Ukraine, in the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky, and the call for de-escalation in the Middle East are the two other major issues on the agenda of the European summit on Thursday.
Also read: Volodymyr Zelensky will present his “victory plan” to NATO
But “the most sensitive discussion” between member states “will certainly be that on immigration”, assures a senior official, who fears that the Europeans will not be able to agree on this aspect in the final declaration.
With AFP
