AfD migration policy success continues to reverberate in Brussels
A conservative-right coalition in the European Parliament pushed through tougher deportation rules in March, with the AfD claiming vindication as the Return Regulation enters final negotiations.
Following a parliamentary vote in March that approved a significantly harder line on the return of illegally residing third-country nationals, the proposed EU Return Regulation has entered so-called trilogue negotiations between Parliament, Council, and Commission, according to Junge Freiheit.
The March vote saw a majority in the European Parliament back stricter measures, supported by votes from right-wing factions including Europe of Sovereign Nations, which is led by René Aust of the Alternative for Germany party and includes the AfD among its members.
The AfD has now claimed the conclusion of trilogue negotiations as a vindication of its migration policy stance. The party declared on social media that the agreement on the Return Regulation represents an important step toward ending what it called disastrous migration policies, framing the development as confirmation that its approach to migration control is gaining traction at the European level.
Parliamentary Position Shapes EU Negotiations
During the trilogue negotiations, the position adopted by Parliament in March served as the basis for parliamentary negotiators. These representatives were obligated to defend the Parliament’s stance against both the Council of Member States and the European Commission, effectively allowing the right-leaning majority from the earlier vote to continue influencing the legislative process.
The Return Regulation establishes a common system across the European Union for returning illegally residing third-country nationals. Proponents aim to accelerate deportations and ensure more consistent enforcement of return decisions. The European People’s Party stated after the vote that without enforcement of return decisions, no credible migration policy is possible.
Left and NGOs Sound Alarm
Left-wing parties, Greens, and migration advocacy organizations have sharply criticized the parliamentary position. They warn of encroachments on fundamental rights and argue that European legal standards are being endangered by the new approach.
For the AfD and other right-wing parties, however, the proceedings represent proof that a migration policy majority to the right of the previous center can form in the European Parliament for the first time.
Final Approval Still Required
Despite the trilogue agreement, the regulation has not yet been definitively adopted. Both the Council and European Parliament must still formally approve the text before the Return Regulation can enter into force.
With information from Junge Freiheit
