Just two days after World Migrants Day, the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council have reached an agreement today, on 20 December 2023, on the New Pact on Immigration and Asylum.
A dark day for Europe, as once again its leadership failed to ensure real solidarity, the protection of countries of first reception, such as Greece, and the right to asylum. Real European solidarity is still outside our grasp, but hypocrisy remains in droves.
From the very first moment we have fought tirelessly and resolutely for solidarity in our common home, Europe. To defend the red lines of our political group The Left in the final battle for the Crisis Sub-File, which I participated in drafting as shadow rapporteur. I quickly realised that it was created as a file of derogations and exceptions. It was created to allow Member States, especially first reception Member States like Greece, to derogate from the European acquis at will.
The LEFT political group called for mandatory relocation in times of crisis.
With struggle, effort and the forging of alliances we managed to turn this sub-file into a file of real solidarity. In an 180 degree turnwith an alliance between the SD, the Greens and the Left, sometimes convincing Renew, sometimes the European People’s Party (EPP), we managed to get the European Parliament’s position to be mandatory relocation in times of crisis, with a clear definition of what constitutes a crisis situation – clear, without the abstract notion of force majeure that would allow Member States to deviate as they wished, without any control – by introducing the prima facia procedure for the recognition of refugees at first sight. and with as few derogations as possible and for as short a time as possible.
However, as the Trilogues progressed, we saw all our efforts being expelled, the dossier changing course again and the right-wing rhetoric of the European leadership prevailing. The Commission and the Council, hand in hand, have essentially revoked the right to asylum and international protection.
As a result of the trialogue, compulsory relocation ceased to be the only form of solidarity in times of crisis. Now Member States will be able to pay, to sponsor the countries of first reception, for them to keep refugees and asylum seekers within their borders. European Guantanamos, with legal European sponsorship.
All the successes of the Group of the Left have been undone and recast. After the “sponsorship” of the countries of first reception, the process of granting international protection prima facia, was also significantly reduced. Not only has the concept of force majeure, which allows Member States to derogate without any control and approval, been reintroduced, but the concept of ‘instrumentalisation’ has been added as yet another possibility for derogation, for countries that wish to do so. I think we all understand the exploitation and abuse that this addition will bring about.
In short, once again, Europe is failing to ensure real solidarity, the protection of countries of first reception such as Greece and the right to asylum.
Yet another opportunity lost, sacrificed on the altar of the right-wing racist rhetoric of Fortress Europe, the Europe of white Christians, where anyone different is simply the ‘useful’ enemy.
A journey of 4.5 years, with many powerful moments, has come to an end, with the valuable support and guidance of the former Minister of Justice, Professor Nikos Paraskevopoulos, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart, and with the excellent cooperation with Greek MP, George Psichogios, the decisive contribution of my Brussels office director, Oufouk Mustafa, my good fellow Left MEPs Cornelia Ernst and Malin Bjork and the tireless staff members Panagiota Maniou, Amandine Bach and Dawit Tesfay.
A journey of victories and defeats was completed, leaving a bitter aftertaste, but also a greater conviction for the struggles ahead.
