The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved new rules Wednesday designed to accelerate asylum processes and increase deportations, signaling a notable shift in the EU’s migration policy [[1]]. The changes, which include a controversial list of “safe third countries” and expanded authority to process claims outside of EU borders, were agreed upon with the Council of the European Union and represent a culmination of debates under the recently enacted EU Asylum and Migration pact [[3]].These reforms are expected to face scrutiny from human rights organizations and will likely reshape how the bloc handles asylum requests in the coming months.
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved its position on rules concerning safe third countries and a list of countries of origin deemed safe for asylum seekers, reaching a provisional agreement with the Council of the European Union on the latter just one day later. The moves signal a tightening of the EU’s approach to migration and asylum claims, potentially impacting thousands of individuals seeking refuge within the bloc.
The votes, which saw alignment between right-leaning political groups, were passed with 384 in favor, 237 against, and 31 abstentions for the safe third country rules, and 396-202-56 for the list of safe countries of origin, according to official parliamentary records. Support spanned the political spectrum, from the center-right European People’s Party to the Eurosceptic-conservative ECR group, as well as the Patriots for Europe and the European Sovereign Nations groups. Some liberals and socialists also joined in support. Hungarian lawmakers voted along party lines, with Fidesz–KDNP and Mi Hazánk voting in favor, DK voting against, and Tisza Párt abstaining.
The proposed list of safe countries of origin includes Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia. It would also encompass all EU candidate countries, excluding those currently experiencing active conflict. Member state authorities would retain the ability to designate additional countries as safe, provided they are not already on the EU’s list – or temporarily suspended from it.
Under the new rules, asylum claims from individuals arriving from designated safe third countries could be deemed inadmissible. The criteria for applying this rule are relatively broad, requiring only that the asylum seeker have a “connection” to the country, such as having resided there for a period of time.
The European Parliament must now finalize its position with the Council, representing member state governments. A deal on the safe third country rules was reached quickly, on December 15. Lena Düpont, a center-right EPP rapporteur, stated that the agreed-upon text aims to accelerate and streamline asylum procedures, including returns, in order to reduce irregular migration and facilitate the return of those whose asylum claims are rejected. “We want to ensure that protection is provided where it is needed, but not automatically within the EU if safe and effective protection can be guaranteed elsewhere.”
Rasmus Stoklund, speaking on behalf of the Danish Presidency of the Council, explained that the agreement allows governments to establish agreements to process asylum claims outside of the EU.
“With this new agreement, governments will be able to conclude agreements to process asylum applications outside the EU.”
The final legal text still requires formal adoption by both the Parliament and the Council, but this is generally considered a formality following such agreements. The development underscores the EU’s increasing focus on externalizing its migration management policies and could lead to more restrictive asylum procedures across the bloc.
