Less than six months after the European Union (EU) approved a comprehensive reform package to address its asylum system, the agreement is under threat due to rising far-right political influence across member states. The EU migration and asylum pact, which aims to distribute the costs of asylum seekers more evenly and enhance border protection, is set to come into effect in 2026.
Recent announcements from several countries, including France and Germany, signal a hardening of national asylum policies. France's new right-wing government plans to tighten its borders, while Germany's center-left coalition has increased checks on internal EU borders in response to far-right electoral gains. The Netherlands has proposed what it calls the 'toughest migration policy ever', seeking an opt-out from the legally binding agreement.
Experts caution against interpreting these political statements as definitive changes, noting that the technical work on the pact continues. The new rules require thorough screening of asylum seekers within seven days of arrival and allow for expedited deportations. However, the pact's mechanism for relocating refugees among member states remains contentious, particularly for countries like Hungary.
Despite the challenges, analysts believe the pact is crucial for maintaining a common European asylum system. Failure to uphold the agreement could lead to significant repercussions for the EU's approach to migration and asylum, with potential humanitarian crises looming if the situation deteriorates further.
As member states prepare to finalize their implementation plans by the year's end, the future of the EU's asylum policy hangs in the balance.