What's happened
Germany and France have urged the EU to negotiate a migration deal with the UK, while the Netherlands seeks an opt-out from EU asylum rules. These developments reflect shifting political dynamics in Europe regarding immigration and asylum policies, particularly following the rise of far-right parties in member states.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Jennifer Rankin in The Guardian, Germany and France are advocating for a Europe-wide migration deal with the UK, emphasizing the need for coherence in migration policies post-Brexit. They argue that the lack of provisions governing the flow of people has contributed to irregular migration and dangers in the Channel. Meanwhile, Jon Henley from The Guardian highlights the Netherlands' far-right government seeking an opt-out from EU asylum rules, a move met with skepticism from the European Commission, which insists that adopted legislation cannot simply be opted out of. Politico's coverage underscores the complexities of treaty amendments, noting that Hungary supports the Netherlands' stance but faces significant legal challenges. The Independent reports on internal divisions within the Dutch coalition regarding the proposed stricter measures, indicating potential political instability. Overall, these sources illustrate a landscape of increasing tension and diverging approaches to migration within the EU.
How we got here
The EU has been grappling with migration issues since the Brexit referendum, which disrupted established policies. Recent elections in the Netherlands brought a far-right coalition to power, prompting calls for stricter asylum measures and a potential opt-out from EU regulations.
More on these topics
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The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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Geert Wilders is a Dutch politician who has been Leader of the Party for Freedom since he founded it in 2006. Wilders is the parliamentary leader of his party in the House of Representatives.
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The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 kmĀ² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria "Dick" Schoof is a Dutch civil servant. Since March 2020, he has been secretary-general at the Ministry of Justice and Security.
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Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.