Government & Politics

EU lawmakers endorse pact to revise migration rules The proposal would speed the return of migrants entering the EU without permission and force countries to accept asylum seekers during emergencies.

(Politico) EU lawmakers on Thursday gave the green light to a central plank of the EU’s flagship migration package, the latest sign of progress on long-stalled reforms. The European Parliament measure endorses new rules seeking to speed up the return of migrants […]

Government & Politics

EU lawmakers break ranks to endorse controversial funding for border protection The amendment’s approval killed a broader budget bill as EU lawmakers squabbled over the subject.

(Politico) The EU’s brawl over whether to pay for border fencing has spilled into the European Parliament. On Wednesday, EU lawmakers approved a controversial amendment endorsing the use of EU funds to help support border barriers, although it stopped short of explicitly […]

Government & Politics

Michel opens door to EU funding for border walls The EU has long refused to allow such financing, but is under increasing pressure to relent amid the Belarus migrant crisis.

(Politico) European Council President Charles Michel turned heads Wednesday when he claimed the EU could legally fund border barriers — calling into question a long-standing EU refusal to allow such financing. “Based on an opinion of the Legal Service of the Council, […]

Government & Politics

Former Romanian president, now MEP: ‘EU seems to tell us we must live with Muslim invasion’ Tough action is needed to combat the criminal gangs running migrant operations, says Traian Băsescu.

(Politico) Former Romanian President Traian Băsescu, newly elected as an MEP as part of the European People’s Party, slammed EU inaction on migration and what he sees as the bloc’s inability to protect its borders. “The EU, through its lack of action, seems […]