A group of 17 European countries, including Germany and France, is calling for stricter rules to speed up the return of migrants in the European Union. In a letter to the European Commission, these countries emphasized the need for governments to detain illegal migrants who pose security risks. They also urged for better cooperation from migrants with authorities and for all EU nations to adopt the same software for managing cases. The push for faster returns reflects growing concerns over the current pace of deportations and overall migration management in Europe.
Among the countries advocating for these changes are Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, which, while not members of the EU, are part of the passport-free Schengen area. This move signals a wider regional demand for more consistent migration policies, particularly in dealing with irregular migrants and security concerns.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has taken a different approach, threatening to send asylum seekers directly to Brussels in protest against EU fines imposed on Hungary for breaking asylum rules. Orban’s actions reflect the growing tensions between Hungary and the EU over migration, with Hungary often opposing the EU’s stance on asylum seekers.
Austria’s potential new European Commissioner, Magnus Brunner, is expected to take over the EU’s top migration position soon. His appointment could mark a rightward shift in the EU’s migration policies, reflecting Austria’s increasing influence on the matter. This shift could become even more pronounced depending on Austria’s future government. The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), led by Herbert Kickl, has expressed strong anti-immigration views, accusing other political parties of trying to block them from entering a future coalition government.
As migration continues to be a critical issue in Europe, EU justice ministers are set to discuss these proposed changes in a meeting next week in Luxembourg. Whether or not these new rules will be implemented remains to be seen, but the call for faster migrant returns and stricter rules is a clear indication of the direction many European countries want the EU to take on migration.