European Union countries are pushing for swifter deportations of rejected asylum seekers, sparking heated debates over asylum procedures in third countries. Italy's move to process asylum claims in Albania has been met with skepticism, notably from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who calls for a quicker implementation of EU asylum reforms. Meanwhile, Poland seeks to temporarily suspend asylum rights due to migrant inflows from Russia and Belarus, garnering mixed reactions from EU partners.
The EU's recent asylum reform, criticized by many member states as inadequate, is set to be implemented by June 2026, though some leaders, like Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, argue it neglects return policies. The Netherlands and Hungary are considering withdrawing from shared asylum agreements, highlighting divisions within the EU.
National actions, such as Germany's border controls post-Solingen attack, have added to these tensions. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is tasked with proposing new legislation to speed up asylum processes. As the EU grapples with these challenges, the push for rapid deportations remains a contentious issue, with calls for balancing humanitarian obligations and security concerns.
