The right allies itself with the far-right in the Eurochamber to approve Meloni's migrant camps

BrusselsThe alliance of the right and the far-right in the European Parliament is consolidating, especially on migration matters. The European People's Party (EPP) has approved, with the votes of the far-right MEPs, the reform that will allow camps in countries outside the European Union to deport immigrants there. Its promoter is the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who has already set them up in Albania, and it has majority support in the European Commission and among member states. The only major European Union country that voted against it is Spain.

For the first time in history, in this legislature, the right and the far-right together form a majority and can therefore process initiatives without the support of the other parties. Until a few months ago, the Christian Democratic family had been rather reluctant to make pacts with the formations of, for example, Meloni, Marine Le Pen or Abascal, but they have broken the taboo and it is increasingly common. They have also jointly rejected, for example, several measures that reduce the climate ambitions of the European bloc.

The social democrats, as well as the Greens and Left group and some liberals, have been very critical of the measure and the alliance of conservatives with the far-right. "This result confirms our fears: a political shift in Europe driven by the European EPP and its desire to align with the far-right," criticized the vice-president of the Social Democrats, Ana Catarina Mendes.

These groups, like various non-profit organizations, have denounced that this measure violates humanitarian and international law. And, in fact, the European Commission itself, which now defends it tooth and nail, until a few years ago also stated that it was illegal. For this reason, Meloni and a group of European governments of all political colors asked the Council of Europe to make a broader interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights to be able to "face current challenges" in migratory matters without the risk of being condemned by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

However, the measure that the European Parliament approved this Thursday with 389 votes in favor, 206 against, and 32 abstentions must be negotiated with the European Commission and the Council of the EU, the body representing the member states. The debate is expected to begin this very afternoon and, given the consensus the measure generates, a definitive agreement will be reached quickly.