The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament, has taken a markedly tougher stance on migration with the release of a new position paper that includes proposals to suspend asylum rights and tighten rules around family reunification.
The document, titled “Harnessing Migration: A Firm, Fair, and Future-Oriented Approach”, outlines a nine-point action plan aimed at curbing irregular migration into the European Union. The plan includes controversial measures such as the use of EU funds to finance border infrastructure, an idea previously avoided by EU institutions.
For the EPP, managing migration now means moving beyond border control toward what the document calls “border defence.” The group argues that additional EU budget resources are needed to support this shift.
German MEP Lena Düpont described the paper as a roadmap that clarifies the group’s views on return policies, the fight against human smuggling, and the protection of the EU’s external borders and the Schengen area.
One key point is the proposed expansion of Frontex’s role. The EPP calls for transforming the agency into a fully operational European border force equipped with advanced technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, and biometric systems. It also supports deploying Frontex personnel to African nations like Senegal and Mauritania to prevent departures before they reach European shores—an idea currently being explored within the EU.
The paper places significant emphasis on cooperation with third countries to curb migration flows. It proposes tying EU funds and visa access to these countries’ willingness to stop irregular departures and accept the return of their nationals.
The EPP also addresses the reintroduction of internal border checks within the Schengen Zone—a step already taken by several member states in response to secondary movements of migrants. The group’s position paper states that it “recognises the right of member states to reintroduce temporary internal border controls as a last-resort measure, applied exceptionally.”
Perhaps the most controversial part of the new policy direction is its call for a temporary suspension of the right to asylum in cases where migrants are being “instrumentalized” against the EU. This move would echo the approach taken by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a member of the EPP. The paper also calls for a wider re-examination of foundational international agreements, stating: “The EU must initiate a dialogue on adapting the Geneva Convention to the current world,” in order to address “the legitimate concerns of member states regarding security and migration management.”
Further measures include tightening criteria for family reunification, which “should require demonstrated integration and financial stability prior to its authorization,” and expanding the European Public Prosecutor’s role to investigate migrant smuggling networks.
The EPP also endorses the Italy-Albania agreement to process asylum claims outside EU borders, calling it “a first but decisive innovative step to dissuade illegal migration.” This stance aligns the party more closely with right-wing groups such as the European Conservatives and Reformists and Patriots for Europe.
