Migration pact faces growing rejection, as EU countries awaken
EU member states are increasingly expressing regret over their recent decision to adopt Brussels' migration pact.
Nine years ago, then German Chancellor Angela Merkel greenlit the entry of several hundred thousand illegal immigrants into Europe. Since then, the situation has barely improved: eight million people have entered under the guise of seeking asylum. The majority of them are still in Europe, although many do not actually require protection. This was highlighted in an opinion piece by Petra Steger, a MEP from Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO), who noted that – even despite this – the failed Dublin system was continued for years.
„The recently adopted EU asylum and migration pact, which will only come into effect in 2026, brings hardly any improvements and is years behind in development. There is no question of consistent external border protection that would deter economic migrants from their travel plans,”
– Ms. Steger stated. She believes that this is precisely why more and more member states are turning their backs on the EU’s refugee policy. Denmark was the first to opt out of the Dublin system. The Netherlands and Hungary – both countries led by patriotic governments – are also seeking to withdraw. And dissatisfaction also appears to be growing in some larger and more significant EU countries. France wants to renegotiate the asylum and migration pact, focusing its criticism on the return directive. Germany recently reintroduced border checks, but police report that these have not achieved the desired effects. Migrants continue to arrive, and the majority are still being allowed into the country.
The debate surrounding the EU’s asylum policy could lead to a mass withdrawal of EU member states from European rules, to the detriment of Austria. The asylum chaos is set to be managed at the European level by Austrian Magnus Brunner, who is now in charge of the migration agenda within the Commission.
“Many are concerned that the OVP will continue to stand in solidarity with the EU’s flawed asylum policy,”
– Ms. Steger remarked, asserting that only a government led by a conservative, right-wing party could compel the Austrian People’s Party to adhere to its electoral promises. According to FPO’s MEP, for Austria – and all other EU states – to succeed, there’s a need to implement effective external border protection, and to reach efficient repatriation agreements with the rejected asylum seekers’ home countries. “Otherwise, the EU should withdraw as much as possible from the asylum policies of individual member states, or at least allow those who do not wish to participate in this madness to do so,” Petra Steger said.
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