Brussels – The European Parliament has backed the crackdown on migrants and consolidated the majority formed by the European People’s Party and the far right. Following the vote at the beginning of March in the Civil Liberties Committee on the new EU rules regarding returns, today (26 March), the Chamber was divided but approved the proposed regulation, and is now ready to begin negotiations with the Council, that is, with the Member States, to sign the final text. The key point of the European Parliament’s position, as reflected in the texts approved, is the crackdown on irregular migrants, allowing swift returns. In fact, third-country nationals subject to a return decision are required to cooperate with the competent authorities to leave EU territory. In the event of resistance or non-cooperation, returnees may be detained for up to 24 months. According to the EU Parliament’s guidelines, returns may be carried out to a third country under an agreement with Member States or the EU (including so-called return hubs).
For individuals whom the national authorities of Member States deem to pose a security risk, stricter rules are being introduced, allowing for easier deportations and tighter controls. However, it is primarily the first two provisions that are proving controversial, as the figures already confirm: the House approved the measures by 389 votes to 206, with 32 abstentions, revealing a clear division.
The radical left-wing group (The Left) rises up and attacks: “While the EU should be preparing a humanitarian plan for the potential displaced persons caused by the war in Iran, the European right and far right are pushing for mass deportations,” said Spanish MEP Estrella Galan, who argues that “the shameful Return Regulation allows for the creation of a Guantánamo outside the EU and paves the way for a European ICE, encouraging round-ups and expulsions.”
Today’s vote (26 March) confirms the convergence between the EPP and forces across the entire right-wing spectrum, from the conservative (ECR) to the more nationalist (PfE) and the most hardline (ESN) factions. This is also highlighted by Sandro Gozi (RE): “The EPP has chosen to shift permanently to the right, chasing and legitimising the positions of the far right. It is a clear and dangerous political drift.” The approved measure, he argues, “is a misguided response to a real problem: a lot of propaganda, few concrete results, and the foreseeable risk of a new wave of legal disputes that will ultimately block its implementation.”
The Socialists join the liberals and the radical left in the criticism. Cecilia Strada (independent PD/S&D) is sharply critical: “The scenes we condemned in the US – five-year-olds being taken away by the police – could become a reality in Europe thanks to the Return Regulation, which would be more accurately described as a deportation regulation.” She then launched an attack on the governing majority: “the Italian right, the one that claims to defend the family and children, today voted to imprison families with children and unaccompanied minors for up to two years.” The head of the PD delegation, Nicola Zingaretti, added fuel to the fire: “The European People’s Party is betraying its history. Detaining children does not increase people’s safety.” For the MEPs of the Greens/European Left Alliance – Leoluca Orlando, Cristina Guarda, Ignazio Marino, Benedetta Scuderi, Ilaria Salis, and Mimmo Lucano – “by providing longer detention periods, the possibility of detaining minors and deportations to centres outside the EU, the EPP, together with the far right, is dismantling what remains of fundamental rights in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Nicola Procaccini, an FdI MEP and co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, rejoices. “We are extremely satisfied with the result achieved.” This regulation “will enable a more effective, and indeed stricter, system in terms of returns, procedures, and preventing entry.” However, he insists on the possibility of creating hubs in third countries because, he argues, “the Meloni government’s line has become the European line.” The allies of the League also applaud the vote: “The approved text embraces the firm stance that the League and the Patriots have steadfastly upheld,” said Susanna Ceccardi (League/PfE), who is keen to emphasise that the text “allows for the full use of return centres located outside the European Union, such as those established by Italy in Albania,” the subject of the concerns from the Council of Europe and reservations expressed by the Advocate General of the General Court of the EU.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
