European parliament to vote on key migration package
Lisa O’Carroll
After eight years of stalemate, more deadlocks and compromises., the rise of the far right across Europe has focused the minds of European leaders and compelled them to finally agree, by majority vote, to reform incoherent migration laws across the bloc.
Yet it still hangs in the balance with more than 700 MEPs being asked to vote 10 different bills through.
If passed it will mean fast-tracking of asylum applications and forced returns within as few as 12 weeks, an improvement in what several MEPs have said are dreadful standards in reception centres and alleviate the burden felt by countries like Greece and Italy which in the last year has shouldered responsibility for the majority of people being smuggled across the Mediterranean.
Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for home affairs, who shepherded the legislative text through its torturous journey since 2016 is convinced it will pass. She admits however that if it does not the laws are in big trouble and it is unlikely that there will be appetite to revisit the matter in the next parliamentary mandate.
Last night it looked as if the Greens (72 of 705 seats), some socialists and some members of the centre right grouping in the European People’s Party in both Poland and France would be voting against some of the files.
Politicians in the far right groups including Alternative for Germany, Vox and National Rally have already been “discounted”.
The debate starts around 2pm Brussels time with votes at 5pm.
Key events
Lisa O’Carroll
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is going to support two of the 10 bills on the table this evening.
Jean-Paul Garraud, president of the group in the European parliament, said they will support the measures on screening of migrants and the establishment of the Eurodac database only.
He said if any of the bills failed it would amount to a “failure of the European Commission” bid to, what he said, was take the sovereignty away from member states.
Lisa O’Carroll
Jorge Buxadé Villalba of Vox has told reporters the Spanish far-right party will vote against all but two files – those on screening and Eurodac.
Lisa O’Carroll
Polish MEPs from the Law and Justice (PiS) party are going to vote against all 10 bills, MEP Patryk Jaki has told the Guardian.
The far-right Identity and Democracy group has reiterated its opposition to the migration and asylum pact.
Lisa O’Carroll
Swedish Left Party MEP Malin Björk got some applause when she accused those supporting then migration pact of taking the position of the far right.
“You are walking in their shoes, you are following them each in their narrative pitting people against each other, pitting refugees and migrants and refugees against workers,” she said.
She said opposing the deal was to support human rights.
“We defend the Europe that stands for human rights .. they [voters] are not okay with dismantling our future.”
MEP Birgit Sippel, a German social democrat, said the debate has demonstrated the compromise is not a simple one. Nevertheless, after 8 years, an agreement has been reached, and that demonstrates the determination of many participants, she said, adding that despite of justified criticism, today there is an opportunity to adopt urgently-needed measures.
Margaritis Schinas, the European Commission vice-president responsible for promoting the European way of life, said in the European parliament that the migration and asylum package on the table “is a delicate, balanced outcome.”
“This is indeed a make it or break it moment,” he said, adding:
We are about to open the door to a new house, a pact house, which will be founded on the respect of fundamental rights and the dignity and the values we represent.
Not a fortress Europe, but a well-guarded house, with more secure external borders, and clear rules on who is entitled to enter.
A house that will provide shelter to those fleeing prosecution, war and violence.
A house where all asylum applications will be processed duly and fairly.
A house that will also make sure that those who do not have legal right to be under our protection should be returned to the countries of origin with speed and dignity.
“The migration pact is a shipwreck for asylum rights,” the Green group said.
“We’ll see greater use of detention, more human rights violations & pushbacks at borders. It won’t make things better.”
The Group stressed that “we will vote against this Pact & continue to fight for human rights.”
The asylum and migration pact decision today “is an important vote that will mark a new beginning and respond to the concerns of European citizens,” the centrist Renew Europe group said. “A united and humane European response is crucial,” it added.
Today, the @Europarl_EN will vote on the Asylum and Migration Pact.
It is an important vote that will mark a new beginning and respond to the concerns of European citizens. A united and humane European response is crucial.
🎥Here is what it contains 👇 pic.twitter.com/HsK5Ifguvj
— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) April 10, 2024
Cornelia Ernst, a German MEP from the Left group, called the regulations on the table a pact of shame and disgrace.
Beata Szydło, from Poland’s Law and Justice, criticised the pact, arguing that it proposes the wrong solutions.
Lisa O’Carroll
There are the 10 bills on which the European parliament is voting today.
Solidarity and responsibility
The asylum and migration management solidarity mechanism involves relocation of asylum seekers to other member states if the first country of arrival is overwhelmed as Italy was last year.
Critics say it will little to do alleviate the burden on countries like Italy because the Dublin regulation which obliges asylum applications to be processed in the first country of arrival has not been reformed sufficiently. Under a replacement rule, migrants with family in another member state can file for asylum in that country.
This is one of the bills that is likely to garner least support. Poland and Hungary have always opposed it.
Crisis times
This puts in mechanisms to avoid a sudden influx of people, or a repeat of the crisis of 2015 when more than 1m people arrived by water and land to Europe, mostly from war-torn Syria.
It will also creates mechanisms for the exploitation of people, who are placed on borders of Europe by hostile actors, such as Russia.
Screening of third country nationals
This allows for screening at the border with criminal record checks, biometric data collection along with health checks for up to 7 days. This seems safe.
Fast tracking asylum procedures
At committee stage this package of laws was confirmed by 40 votes in favour, 23 against and 4 abstentions. So it would also appear to be safe.
Eurodac database
Provides all member states to maintain and share data on all who arrive in the EU including children from six years old. Some on the left and the Greens don’t like this but likely to sail through as those on the right are in favour.
Uniform asylum procedures
This will address issues some on the right had about member states “transposing” laws on asylum rights in ineffective ways.
Reception centres
This is aimed to create minimum uniform standards at reception centres and accommodation including health care and housing. Registered asylum applicants should also be allowed to work soon to accelerate integration.
Safety and resettlement
This is to allow states to offer protection for the most vulnerable refugees living in third countries, identified in most cases by the UNHCR.
Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of the Left group, said that the pact would take away the right to protection for those who need it.
