The European Parliament set a concerning precedent last month as members of the European People’s Party (EPP) – including Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union – voted in favour of an amendment introduced by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The proposal, which has reached the final stage of voting this week, calls for “adequate funding for physical barriers” at the EU’s external borders.
This marks a striking departure from the EPP’s long-held stance that opposes AfD motions, regardless of specific policy details, to prevent normalising extremist positions.
The idea that “illegal” migration can be stopped with ever harsher deterrence measures or taller walls is an illusion. If such barriers are designed to prevent people at the EU’s borders from applying for asylum, they directly undermine rule of law and European law.
Instead of doubling down on short-term deterrence, we must tackle the root causes of migration. People flee their homes because of war, persecution, poverty and climate crises. As long as these drivers remain unaddressed, no wall will stop people from seeking safety and a better future. Our responsibility is to actively combat these root causes and improve living conditions in countries of origin and transit.
At the same time, the EU must improve the way it handles refugees and migration internally. A fair distribution of responsibility among member states is long overdue. It is unacceptable for countries at the bloc’s external borders, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain, to bear the brunt of the burden while others remain on the sidelines. A true Union requires a fair mechanism for sharing responsibility and ensuring orderly procedures.
It would be naive to believe that the far-right’s amendment was genuinely aimed at addressing migration issues. Instead, it was a calculated attempt by a far-right party to break through the cordon sanitaire and seek cooperation with pro-European forces.
Major centre-right parties have now brought the AfD into the fold of acceptable democratic lawmaking. This is a watershed moment, not just on any issue, but in a vote concerning the EU budget. This decision may open the door to further collaboration with nationalist parties on issues where ideological lines were once firmly drawn.
For the stability of the EU, and for the integrity of its democratic values, such alliances must never be an option for any pro-democratic, pro-European force.