The clampdown on toughening immigration policy between the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Melonileader of the European radical right, and the German chancellor, Olaf Scholzthe highest representative of the socialist family, left Pedro Sanchez. During the summit held this Thursday in Brussels, the president of the government found himself practically alone (with Portugal or Belgium as the only allies) in the defense of A “positive view of the contribution of migration“in economic and social terms. Even the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyenhas aligned itself with this “paradigm shift” in immigration policy.
On the other hand, Sánchez has openly rejected the creation of migrant detention or expulsion centers outside the territory of the European Union – based on the model of the agreement between Meloni and Albania. “These are formulas that do not solve any of the problems and create new ones.“, he asserts. The President of the Government instead advocates bringing forward the entry into force of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum to 2025 (a year earlier than planned). He also demanded that Frontex sign agreements with Senegal and Mauritania for patrols in African waters, as well as an increase in the allocation for migration in the EU budget.
Despite a diametrically opposed position, Sanchez did not want to veto the text of the European Council conclusionswhich clearly reflects the evolution towards a more punitive and restrictive line in matters of immigration. The heads of state and government called for “considering new avenues to prevent and combat irregular migration.” This term is the new euphemism for detention centers for non-European migrants. Von der Leyen herself confirmed that leaders had spoken about these deportation camps.
The President of the Commission also supported expand the list of countries considered safe to return irregular migrants, or even asylum seekers. Italy and Austria want to include Syria and Afghanistan. “Austria has been trying for a year to reach an agreement allowing the repatriation of people to Syria. Likewise, in the future, we must strive to include Afghanistan in the safe zones,” he said. declared the Austrian Chancellor. Karl Nehammer. He claims that Syrian refugees are returning to Syria from Lebanon and that the Lebanese themselves are going to Syria because it is safer there than Lebanon.
Also the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholzdefended the deportation of convicted Afghan criminals to Afghanistan, as his own government did in August. Germany has toughened its immigration policy and reintroduced controls at all borders following the latest terrorist attacks and the rise of the far right. Despite being invited, Scholz ultimately did not attend the mini-summit on migration convened by Meloni before the start of the European Council and declared himself skeptical about the effectiveness of migrant detention centers because ” they are not the solution for such a large country.” like Germany.” But he insisted on the need to “reduce irregular immigration” and increase the effectiveness of evictions.
“The European Council calls for determined action at all levels to facilitate, increase and accelerate returns (expulsions) of the EU, using all relevant EU tools, instruments and policies, including diplomacy, development aid, trade and visas”, state the summit conclusions, which were also signed by Pedro Sánchez himself also gave the green light to the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tuskto take “appropriate measures” to counter attacks by Russia and Belarus by throwing migrants against its border.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks with her Danish colleague Mette Frederiksen during Thursday’s summit in Brussels
Other socialist prime ministers attended Meloni’s immigration mini-summit, such as the Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen (who was also one of the co-organizers) or the Maltese Robert Abela. There were also the Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Frederiksen She said she was “very satisfied” that more and more member states are supporting the hard line against immigration that she has always defended. “No one thinks that people run away to have fun, and we have a lot of wars and conflicts. But we cannot continue to attract so many people to Europe” he said.
On the other hand, Sánchez defended in the European Council a positive approach to the migration phenomenon. “It is obvious that if we want to meet the European demographic challenge, if we want to guarantee the sustainability of our pensions and the welfare state, as well as guarantee the economic growth that Spain or Europe as a whole is currently experiencing , we also need the contribution of migration,” says the President of the Government.
“This migration must be regular, it must be safe, it must be orderly and this is what the Spanish government has defended. balance the message that Europe sends on migration matters much more“Sánchez insisted.
