Debate Erupts Over Physical Barriers at EU Borders Following Right-Wing Proposal

Controversial Call for Physical Barriers at EU Borders

A coalition of right-wing lawmakers within the European Parliament has ignited a heated debate by advocating for the construction of physical barriers along the European Union’s borders. This proposal emerged amidst discussions regarding the budget for the upcoming year, prompting significant backlash from centrist and socialist factions within the chamber.

On Wednesday, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) expressed its support for a request initiated by lawmakers Alexander Jungbluth from Germany and StanisÅ‚aw Tyszka from Poland, both representing the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group. Their amendment, which called for dedicated funding to establish external physical barriers at the EU’s borders, was included in a resolution accompanying the European Parliament’s stance on the EU budget for 2025.

This amendment garnered substantial backing, receiving support from 329 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), including all of the far-right factions: Patriots for Europe, the European Conservatives and Reformists, and ESN. Notably, the majority of EPP members, the largest political group in the Parliament, endorsed the proposal, with only 15 voting against it and four abstaining.

Although the resolution as a whole was ultimately rejected by the Parliament, the attempt to push this amendment sparked outrage among other groups within the governing coalition that supports European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Critics accused the conservatives of seeking to form alternative majorities. Romanian socialist Victor Negrescu, who leads the MEPs on the budget file, stated, “The EPP did not respect the deal and voted for several amendments with the far right.”

Negrescu further emphasized to reporters in Strasbourg that a resolution linked to the Parliament’s position is unnecessary for negotiations with the Council, which represents EU member states. The two institutions are expected to finalize an agreement on the allocation of EU funds for the coming year by November 18.

Strong condemnation of the EPP’s collaboration with far-right groups also emerged from centrist members of the Renew Europe group. Fabienne Keller from France, who served as one of the rapporteurs for the Asylum Procedure Regulation (APR)—a key component of the Pact on Migration and Asylum developed last spring—noted, “Something very serious happened. This indicates that the EPP is abandoning the solid majority built to support Ursula von der Leyen as Commission president.”

While the EPP has not yet responded to inquiries from Euronews regarding this matter, their press release highlights a significant achievement: the Parliament’s decision to increase funding for the Border Management and Visa Instrument.

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