As the European Parliament elections approach, parties are focusing on migration and asylum, a major issue in the political agenda. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to introduce collective rules to manage asylum seekers and has become a top priority for the bloc after a rise in asylum applications. The European People’s Party (EPP) prioritizes strengthening external borders and wants to transfer asylum seekers to safe third countries. The Party of European Socialists (PES) advocates for a fair and humane approach to migration and asylum, rejecting externalisation of borders.
Renew Europe Now emphasizes clarity and stability in managing migration, including creating legal pathways and opportunities for migrant integration. The Greens oppose dirty deals with dictators and demand a mandatory relocation mechanism and humanitarian approach to Frontex. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) propose outsourcing migration control and collaborating with third countries for external migration management. The Left calls for the cancellation of the New Pact and dissolution of Frontex, advocating for a break from a Fortress Europe mentality, promoting co-development.
The EPP wants to increase Frontex’s role and budget and strengthen external borders to halt uncontrolled migration. They propose transferring asylum seekers to safe third countries for processing, drawing comparisons to controversial plans like the UK’s Rwanda initiative. The PES aims for a fair, safe, and predictable implementation of the New Pact based on human rights and dignity, rejecting any externalization of borders. Renew Europe Now focuses on legal pathways and job opportunities for migrants, emphasizing the need for clarity and stability in managing migration.
The Greens advocate for a mandatory relocation mechanism and reject dirty deals with dictators, emphasizing a humanitarian approach to managing migration. The ECR proposes controlling all points of entry through enhanced border infrastructure and collaboration with third countries for external migration management. The Left takes a broader approach, calling for co-development and rejecting colonial hegemony, challenging the New Pact and Frontex. The ID group has not released a common manifesto but has previously criticized the EU’s management of migratory rights over geographical limits.
In conclusion, as parties in the European Parliament focus on migration and asylum policies ahead of the elections, diverse approaches are being proposed. From strengthening borders to promoting humanitarian principles and challenging the current pact, parties have differing views on the best ways to manage migration and asylum. With the New Pact on Migration and Asylum at the forefront of this debate, future policies will heavily influence the management of asylum seekers and the overall migration landscape in Europe.
