Understanding Europe’s Far-Right Surge and the 2024 Migration Challenge
- In 2024, far-right movements are gaining traction in Europe and the U.S.
- Recent elections in the EU, including the European Parliament election, France’s snap election, several German state elections, and Austria’s election, reveal a shift in voter trust away from...
- Following the 2015 migrant crisis, EU member states struggled to create a cohesive migration policy.
Rising Popularity of Far-Right Movements in Europe and the U.S.
In 2024, far-right movements are gaining traction in Europe and the U.S. These parties share nationalist views, a soft stance on Russia, skepticism about Ukraine support, and strong anti-immigration policies. Elections in the European Union (EU) show that irregular migration and border security dominate discussions. Mainstream parties adopt more restrictive policies in response to public anxiety driven by far-right rhetoric, often confusing regular and irregular migration in the debate.
Recent elections in the EU, including the European Parliament election, France’s snap election, several German state elections, and Austria’s election, reveal a shift in voter trust away from national governments. The result is a harsher approach to migration policy. The EU faces a rising number of asylum applications, straining resources for processing, housing, and integration.
Policy Developments Post-Migrant Crisis
Following the 2015 migrant crisis, EU member states struggled to create a cohesive migration policy. The recently introduced EU Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to address these challenges. However, member states have largely implemented separate measures, strengthening borders and limiting asylum access. Such policies increased divisions among EU countries and fueled populist narratives regarding lost sovereignty.
Understanding EU Migration Policy
The EU’s migration policy includes free movement principles, established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome and the 1995 Schengen Agreement. Member states can set conditions for entry and legal residence and must manage returns of irregular immigrants.
The Common European Asylum System (CEAS) aims to coordinate asylum processes within EU member states. The Dublin Regulation designates responsibility for processing asylum claims to the first EU country an individual enters, but this system has created burdens on border states like Greece and Italy.
Efforts to deter irregular migration have included agreements with third countries, such as Turkey and Libya. These deals help manage borders and limit departures but have drawn criticism for human rights concerns.
Why Migration Sparks Controversy
In 2015, over 1.2 million asylum seekers entered the EU, leading to significant strain on processing and integration systems. Many member states resisted sharing responsibilities. The situation led to tensions between countries receiving large numbers of asylum seekers and others that resisted.
Far-right parties have used migrants as scapegoats during times of economic and social upheaval. Political leaders have often replaced rights-based responses with security-focused narratives.
Recent Trends in Migration Policy
Recently, various right-wing parties in Europe have united against a perceived “European Superstate,” emphasizing national identity. The EU finds itself criticized for both being too weak in migration policy and for not upholding its values.
The new Pact on Migration and Asylum introduces ten reforms to manage migration more effectively. It emphasizes border security and expedited processing for asylum claims from countries with low recognition rates. Critics, however, argue that this focus may stack the odds against asylum seekers and lead to human rights violations.
Political Developments in Migration Policy
The rise of far-right parties in Europe has shifted the narrative surrounding migration. Leaders are increasingly adopting stricter border policies. For instance, in Germany, the government has expanded immigration controls and rules on asylum seekers.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni have pushed for more stringent measures, promoting external processing of asylum claims. The EU also emphasizes third-country partnerships to manage migration flows.
Recent electoral outcomes reflecting far-right support, a shift in policy tone across states, and unilateral measures underscore a movement towards restrictive migration policies. These developments suggest ongoing challenges in creating a cohesive and humane migration policy in Europe.