The European Union is set to make a final decision on a stricter asylum policy after eight years of debate. The EU Parliament will vote on the asylum reform with a simple majority in the afternoon. The Greens and Socialists in Europe are unhappy with many of the new regulations. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has urged European Parliament members to approve the EU asylum compromise, emphasizing the need for Europe to show efficiency in managing migration.
Green Bundestag member Julian Pahlke sharply criticized the EU asylum reform that has been negotiated for years, stating that it does not improve the situation at Europe’s external borders or the lives of refugees. He pointed out that central challenges remain unresolved, such as the lack of reliable distribution and leaving border states alone. Pahlke believes that the conservative solution is doomed to fail as it does not reduce the number of people coming to Europe. He also criticized the deep interference in the fundamental right to asylum and called on European states to send their own coast guards to save lives on the Mediterranean route.
The EU Parliament is set to vote on the EU asylum reform, which includes obligations for countries at the EU’s external borders to follow unified border procedures. Individuals arriving from countries deemed safe would be placed in strict controlled reception centers under conditions similar to detention. The applicant’s asylum chances would be reviewed within twelve weeks, and if denied, they would be promptly sent back. People from countries with an acceptance rate of less than 20 percent, as well as those considered a threat to public safety, would also be subject to this process. The reform also includes a new mechanism for redistributing migrants among EU countries, with consequences for those refusing to accept migrants.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the importance of approving the EU asylum reform as a key factor in controlling migration and relieving pressure on municipalities. She warned against leaving the issue to right-wing populists who exploit the plight of people in need for their agenda. Faeser stressed that strong protection of EU external borders is crucial for maintaining open internal borders in Europe. She highlighted the need to control national borders to stop human smugglers and limit irregular migration, especially during events like the upcoming Euro 2020. Faeser explained that under the new EU system, every migrant would undergo strict registration and control at external borders, with those having low chances of asylum going through a legal asylum process and facing deportation if rejected.
The EU Parliament’s approval of the asylum reform would confirm a compromise reached by negotiators from the Parliament and EU states, despite longstanding criticism from the Greens in both the German Bundestag and the European Parliament. The new regulations aim to enhance border control, establish orderly asylum procedures, and distribute migrants more efficiently among EU countries. Faeser stressed the essential role of these measures in protecting individuals fleeing war and terror, facilitating legal migration pathways, and preventing abuse of the asylum system. She emphasized the need for collective European action to tackle migration challenges effectively and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals seeking refuge in the EU.
