Human rights activists from Italy, Albania and other European countries at a demonstration against migrant camps, in front of the Maison de l'Europe in Tirana, Italy, November 1, 2025. ADNAN BECI / AFP
Liberals and Social Democrats had feared this outcome: On Wednesday, December 3, the European People's Party (EPP) showed no hesitation in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, pushing through two bills that would tighten ongoing migration reforms at the European level. The EPP bypassed its usual partners and relied solely on groups to its right in the chamber.
The EPP thus combined its votes with those of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), including the Brothers of Italy (the party of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni); Patriotes (dominated by Jordan Bardella's far-right Rassemblement National and Viktor Orbán's Fidesz); and Europe of Sovereign Nations (with Germany's AfD) to pass the regulation on the concept of a "safe third country," with the bill establishing a list of "safe countries of origin."
The first bill, adopted by 40 votes to 32, will allow asylum seekers to be extradited to a third country with which they have no connection. The second, especially requested by Italy, was somewhat less controversial, since many European countries already have lists of safe countries of origin to help determine whether an asylum seeker from those countries can submit an application.
