Europe’s migration crisis fueled by leftist policies of the past

The debate around immigration, particularly illegal immigration, has become a major dividing issue within the EU, with clear splits between left- and right-wing political parties. On one side, left-leaning parties tend to adopt a more permissive approach, favoring pro-immigration laws and being less strict on illegal immigration. On the other hand, right-leaning parties argue for more stringent immigration laws and greater border control to manage both legal and illegal entries.

In this matter, and being at the forefront of the flow of illegal immigrants across the Mediterranean, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this week passed a decree bypassing legal challenges to its deal with Albania for the offshore processing of migrants. This decree allows the designation of entire countries as “safe” for migrant returns, despite a court ruling blocking the deportation of migrants from Bangladesh and Egypt, which were deemed unsafe. This step, which the UK’s previous government had also hoped to achieve with Rwanda, has been branded inhumane by leftist politicians. The right argues that the perilous and inhumane situation lies in the many lives lost at sea and the human trafficking that is linked to illegal immigration, with these steps dissuading large flows.

Some argue that the tougher stance by rightist parties in Europe has already acted as a deterrent. Data from the EU’s border and coast guard agency Frontex showed that unauthorized crossings of the region’s external borders fell 39 percent in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. In 2023, illegal immigration to Europe had reached significant levels, with approximately 1.2 million non-EU citizens found to be illegally present in the bloc, a 121 percent increase since 2018. Another fact is that different countries are affected differently. Germany reported the highest number with 263,670, followed by Italy with 194,750 illegal residents and Hungary with 159,700.

Some argue that the tougher stance by rightist parties in Europe has already acted as a deterrent

Khaled Abou Zahr

People smuggling routes are primarily established from Africa and the Middle East, where traffickers can charge substantial fees, often reaching $10,000 per individual for an unsafe and dangerous passage to Europe. Moreover, according to the European Council, there were 3,711 fatalities on the Mediterranean and Western African routes in 2023.

Adding complexity to the problem of immigration is Europe’s aging population, with many countries suffering from an inverted population pyramid. This demographic shift presents economic and social challenges, such as a shrinking workforce and increased pressure on pensions and healthcare systems. The younger generations are left to support a growing elderly population, creating financial and social strains.

In this context, immigration, particularly of young workers, could help address the demographic imbalance, but without effective integration policies it also risks further social fragmentation. This is also why many accuse former German Chancellor Angela Merkel of allowing for more than 1 million arrivals in 2015 to look for a quick fix to the problem, which in reality has caused a lot of tensions within European countries.

The EU is making efforts to reform its migration and asylum policies. The Pact on Migration and Asylum, which was approved this year and is set to come into force in 2026, aims to streamline asylum procedures, enhance external border management and promote greater solidarity among member states. These reforms seek to address both security concerns and humanitarian obligations, balancing the need for stronger border control with fair treatment of asylum seekers.

Despite these reforms, however, Europe’s unity remains fragile due to diverging national approaches to immigration. Countries like Hungary reject EU-wide quotas for redistributing migrants, prioritizing their national sovereignty, while others advocate for burden-sharing. These different views threaten broader EU cooperation on important issues, especially security. There has been poor management of this issue, with no correct guidance or the necessary authority to maintain, on occasions, proper order for the well-being of new arrivals and citizens.

Countries like Hungary reject EU-wide quotas for redistributing migrants, while others advocate for burden-sharing

Khaled Abou Zahr

This is very clear in countries like Sweden, which has witnessed a significant reversal of its traditionally open immigration policies. The government has introduced stricter asylum laws, reduced the number of asylum applications to the minimum required by EU law and incentivized voluntary repatriation. Similar policy shifts have occurred in countries like Denmark and Austria, where governments have tightened immigration controls in response to rising social tensions and security concerns. Germany, too, recently decided to implement temporary border checks in an attempt to curb irregular migration.

The fact is that what pushes for change and forces leftist parties in the EU to soften their stance are the ballots and nothing else. Europeans, one country after another, are taking a stronger position on this important electoral topic. And so, suddenly, many observers now argue that previous immigration policies were inadequately planned. And left-wing parties, which have historically advocated for immigration as a remedy to demographic challenges, now bear significant responsibility for the rising tensions surrounding this issue.

Their policies have contributed not only to the deteriorating conditions experienced by legal immigrants but also to the tragic loss of life among immigrants attempting illegal entry via sea crossings and the horrors of human trafficking. There are even suspicions that political motivations, including the potential creation of new voting blocs, may have influenced these permissive and weak policies.

This political divide is not new and recalls scenes from the 1992 French film “La Crise” (The Crisis), in which a wealthy socialist MP criticizes a simple man for his racism. Ironically, the man who professes his dislike for Arabs reveals later that most of his friends and family are immigrants themselves, highlighting how out of touch certain politicians, particularly those on the left, can be when they claim the moral high ground on issues like immigration. This disconnect reflects the larger split between idealized policies made in comfortable offices and the on-the-ground realities of migration and assimilation. Despite the new EU pact, it has nevertheless become a big threat to the future unity of the bloc.

• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.