Migration and the political difficulties it creates stand out as one of the main agenda items in Europe before the European Parliament Elections in June. Following the influx of irregular immigrants to Europe in 2015, increasing terrorist attacks led the European Union to create new rules to control immigration. The Migration and Refugee Pact, which aims to reshape the face of Europe’s migration policy, was accepted by members of the European Parliament in Brussels on 10 April 2024.[1]
The Pact aims to create a “mandatory solidarity” mechanism. The Migration and Refugee Pact introduces the screening process for asylum seekers at the borders of the European Union. The first country of entry will be responsible with taking fingerprints, taking photographs, checking identity documents, etc. for either directing immigrants to a standard or expedited asylum application process or rejecting their application.
This agreement includes the creation of closed centers with a capacity of 30,000 beds to accommodate immigrants during the initial control process. The pact aims to create a “mandatory solidarity” mechanism for a more equitable distribution of refugees to regions where refugees are concentrated in Southern European countries and to other European countries. Each year, 30,000 refugees will be “resettled” to another EU country while applicants’ claims are examined. Countries that oppose this principle will have to pay a penalty of 20,000 euros for each rejected refugee.[2]
According to the Agency for Operational Cooperation for the Management of External Borders of European Union Member States (Frontex), there has been a significant increase in irregular border crossings to Europe in 2023. While it is estimated that approximately 380,000 thousand people entered the EU territory illegally in 2023, it was stated that there were over 1 million asylum requests.[3]
A new asylum and migration management regulation aims to intervene more effectively in the complex migration and asylum problems of the European Union (EU). A new solidarity mechanism is being put into effect with the idea that the current system puts an excessive burden on a few member states and that this situation is unfair. This mechanism aims to share responsibility more fairly.
The new regulations provide flexibility for member states to contribute at their own discretion to support compulsory solidarity. Contributions can take various forms, such as resettlement, financial support and alternative solidarity measures. In particular, the resettlement of refugees and individuals under international protection forms the basis of solidarity between member states.
For instance, member states that are under intense migration pressure at the EU’s external borders are required again to resettle refugees in other countries. In this context, the minimum annual number of resettlements has been determined as 30,000. In addition, it is aimed for member states to manage refugee and migrant influxes more effectively, supported by financial contributions and other solidarity measures.
These new regulations represent a significant change in the EU’s asylum and migration policies. In particular, it is important to strengthen solidarity between member states and manage asylum applications more fairly. However, in order for these regulations to be implemented effectively and for the EU to be successful in combating asylum and migration crises, it is important to increase cooperation and coordination between member states.[4]
Current developments in the EU’s immigration and asylum policies cause important public debate throughout Europe. A recent Ipsos poll of almost 26,000 respondents in 18 member states revealed the views of the European public on migration policies. According to the survey results, the majority of Europeans evaluate the impact of the EU’s migration policy negatively and demand the strengthening of borders.[5]
This survey, conducted before the European Parliament Elections on June 6-9, 2024, shows that 51 percent of Europeans evaluate the impact of the bloc’s migration policy as “negative”. It was stated that 16 percent of the survey participants had a “positive” opinion and 32 percent had a “neither positive nor negative” opinion.
When the survey results are evaluated by country; France (62%), Austria (60%) and Hungary (58%) are the countries that criticize the new immigration policy the most with percentages. Denmark (26%), Romania (27%) and Finland (32%) stand out as the least critical countries. Poland (86%), Bulgaria (83%) and Finland (83%) are the countries that support this action plan the most with percentages.[6]
The harshest criticism of the new immigration plan comes from supporters of the far-right groups Identity and Democracy (78%) and the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (65%). Left groups (55%) stand out as the most supportive.
[1] “Union européenne: que contient le Pacte Asile et Migrations ?”, Le Journal du Dimance, https://www.lejdd.fr/politique/union-europeenne-que-contient-le-pacte-asile-et-migrations-143829, (Date Accessed: 07.04.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “The EU’s new plan to address irregular migration”, Geopolitical Intelligence Services, https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/eu-plan-migration/, (Date Accessed: 07.04.2024).
[4] “A new asylum and migration management regulation”, European Council, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-migration-policy/eu-migration-asylum-reform-pact/asylum-migration-management/, (Date Accessed: 07.04.2024).
[5] “Half of Europeans disapprove of EU migration policy and demand stronger border controls, poll shows”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/03/26/half-of-europeans-disapprove-of-eu-migration-policy-and-demand-stronger-border-controls-po, (Date Accessed: 07.04.2024).
[6] Ibid.
