Migration’s Return as an Important Topic in the 2024 European Elections

What people already believe about migration strongly affects how they will vote. These existing beliefs are hard to change through debates before the election. So even if migration does not seem as urgent right now, it still impacts how voters see the platforms of different parties and how the parties position themselves leading up to the elections in June.

The EU’s Efforts to Control Its Borders

To have fewer migrants coming across the Mediterranean Sea and western Africa, the European Union has used its money to make deals with other countries. It started with Turkey in 2015 and 2016 during the Syrian refugee crisis. In 2023, the EU made an agreement with the country of Tunisia. Then in 2024, it made agreements with the countries of Mauritania and Egypt. The purpose of these agreements is for the EU to team up with those countries. Together, they want to better control the EU’s borders. They also want to fight against bad people who illegally move and sell other human beings.

The Spread of Anti-Immigration Messages

Recent years have seen a significant shift in the way that people discuss migration. Previously the domain of far-right parties, anti-immigration messaging is now also being employed by mainstream, center-right parties. These parties, like the far-right, have taken a harder position on immigration in an attempt to win over disgruntled supporters.

The clearest example is the pre-election manifesto of the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), which has promised to deport asylum seekers to “safe” third countries, just like the “stop the boats” campaign used by the current UK government. 

Conclusion

We will have to wait and see whether this plan can reduce voters’ fear and create a fair and effective immigration policy. The immigration debate reflects the difficult balance between security concerns, helping those in need and preserving the EU’s reputation as a place of freedom and human rights.