European People's Party Pushes for Tougher Migration Policies Amid German Election Pressures

The European People's Party (EVP) has intensified calls for stricter migration controls shortly after new EU migration and return regulations took effect. Detlef Seif of the CDU criticized the European Commission's inaction and urged more ambitious laws allowing countries to reject asylum applications if migrants are "instrumentalized" at external borders, highlighting Poland's accusations of Russia pushing migrants into Belarus as an example. The EVP also reiterated support for controversial EU return centers intended to process migrants outside EU borders, with plans anticipated to advance before the end of 2026.

This political push comes as Germany faces regional elections where the CDU is pressured by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which advocates for "remigration" policies involving mass deportations. Seif rejected claims that CDU policies are influenced by the extreme right, emphasizing that security concerns necessitate the migration policy shift. The European Parliament, increasingly dominated by center-right and right-wing parties, approved tougher immigration regulations, enhancing the likelihood of more restrictive policies gaining ground.

Despite progress by Germany's black-red federal government in migration management, the AfD remains politically resilient with leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla maintaining influence, indicating that these issues alone don't explain the party's rise. The upcoming EU summit in October will feature comprehensive debates on migration, foreshadowing further legislative efforts.