EU will pursue North Africa migration deals

Subject

EU-North Africa migration deals.

Significance

Large-scale migration movements from Sub-Saharan Africa, Turkey, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have challenged European governments in recent years, including stoking support for far-right/populist parties such as the French Front National, the Alternative for Germany, and the Austrian and Dutch freedom parties.

Impacts

• EU member states’ ability to control the EU’s external borders is central to seeing off populist parties and restoring support for the EU.
• If Europeans believe their governments cannot control immigration, support for the extreme right will again increase.
• Were the far-right to come to power on the continent, the EU -- and its single market -- could be imperilled.
• However, high migration is unlikely to reorder EU politics to the benefit of the extreme right in the medium term.