EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has thrown her weight behind controversial migration reforms that echo the UK’s Rwanda plan. Proposed by the European People’s Party (EPP), the move signals a significant policy shift, involving the deportation of asylum seekers to third countries for processing and the implementation of a quota system for those granted protection within the EU.
Manfred Weber, the leader of the EPP, underscored the collaborative nature of the reforms within the party, emphasising their commitment to reducing immigration.
The measures are seen as a proactive response to the rise of far-right influences, particularly in Germany, with Weber arguing that “the far right wants to destroy Europe from the inside”.
The EPP aims to negotiate agreements with non-EU nations to facilitate the deportation of individuals who arrive through irregular migration routes, sending them to designated “safe” third countries for asylum processing.
The draft law outlining these changes will be a focal point of discussions at the EPP’s annual congress in Bucharest.
However, this proposed hardening of migration policy is not without challenges. It raises concerns about potential conflicts within the European Parliament and external political risks for von der Leyen, who must represent the interests of the entire EU.
Opposition is expected from the Socialists and Democrats, the second-largest voting bloc in the European Parliament.
A Brussels insider told The Guardian “the socialists will go mad with this,” suggesting potential tensions in the upcoming debates.
Critics, including Sophie in ’t Veld, a Dutch MEP, dismiss the measures as an attempt to attract far-right votes. She called it “yet another unsavoury EPP chunk of red meat,” expressing doubt about its effectiveness and its potential impact on far-right movements.
In an effort to address concerns, the EPP proposes admitting a quota of individuals in need of protection through annual humanitarian quotas following the implementation of the third-country concept.
