The EU’s new restrictive migration policy on return hubs last month (17 June) drew in votes from unexpected corners of the European Parliament, splitting liberals and socialists into uncharacteristic camps.
Most European lawmakers voted in favour of the new regulation that drew widespread support from the political extremes, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Now Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and even some Greens are joining the cause to push far-right-inspired migration policies. The return regulation, which includes setting up deportation centres in third countries, is among them.
The legislation passed amid chants of “Send Them Back” from fist-pumping far-right MEPs, even though it allows families and children to be sent to deportation hubs abroad.
A breakdown of the vote showed it largely passed thanks to the rightwing bloc, including the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), while more than half of Renew Europe’s liberals also backed it.
