Migrants: hardline stance wins in Strasbourg: socialists and greens in minority

Brussels – The new European approach to migration policy is becoming increasingly tough. The current debate in the Strasbourg chamber shows, faction by faction, what the political views are on the new rules in the field of migration. The result, in short, is that the “Giorgia” majority (ranging from the centre-right of the Popular Party to the extreme right of the Patriots) will support the hard line. There is little that the socialists and greens can do, despite their attempts to propose a more “humane” view of the phenomenon.

The concern of the left

For the left wing of parliament, the most worrying thing is the general lack of interest in human rights violations. “We must reduce migratory pressure, but without exceeding the limits of respect for human rights,” specified socialist Ana Mendes. In any case, the open-door policy seems to be definitively over. Even those who once supported a softer line are now falling in line with the right-wing narrative.

The Commission rejoices

The first to speak, to describe the work done, is the Vice-President of the Commission, Henna Virkkunen: “We have turned a corner on migration policy. Illegal entries have fallen by 26 per cent, the lowest level since 2021, as a result of the Union’s policy change.” The new rules approved by the European Council in December set out in black and white a list of safe countries of origin from which asylum seekers will (almost) never be accepted.

Returns

Despite a certain degree of satisfaction among the populist, conservative and patriotic parties, right-wing forces say the new rules must address returns more seriously. Virkkunen also points out that “only one in five migrants who enter the country illegally is subsequently repatriated.” To improve this average, patriot Marika Ehlers proposes specific solutions: “If we want to improve our repatriation policy, we must have more options for detaining migrants who have entered Europe illegally and put greater pressure on third countries to comply with the international obligations they have entered into.”

The debate on this issue is heating up. Right-wing parties would like trade agreements with countries of origin to be suspended or adjusted based on the willingness of those countries to take back their citizens.

In the minority, among the only ones to oppose this approach, is The Left group. Damien Carême of France Insoumise argues that “making aid and trade with third countries conditional is a serious violation of human rights.” Human rights are also a guiding principle for the Greens. MEP Erik Marquardt reminds listeners that “we cannot continue to say that we want a rules-based world if abuses against migrants continue at our borders.”

The ambiguous position of the socialists

However, the appeal is a prayer in vain.. Even the most moderate, such as Renew’s centrists, are not far from the anti-migration demands of the hardline right. The last substantial group capable of mediating on the issue of migration is the socialists. “We cannot limit ourselves to a narrative of us against them,” says Portuguese MEP Mendes (S&D), expressing her opposition to migrant centres considered “illegal”. In general, however, the group seems ready to support regulations that refer to the “fight against human trafficking,” a phrase often used to justify an all-out battle against migration.