A political storm is brewing in the European Parliament following an unprecedented alliance between the European People’s Party, the Conservatives and Reformists, and the far right on migration policy. The controversy started with the appointment of Italian MEP Alessandro Ciriani (ECR/ITA) as rapporteur for the legislative dossier on the EU list of so-called safe third countries.
According to MEP Tineke Strik (Greens/NLD), who is a member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE), the EPP has “just broken the cordon sanitaire, forming a coalition with the far right to stage a coup and push through two immigration laws.” She called the move “a sad day for democracy in the European Parliament”.
Internal sources in the Parliament confirmed that, for the first time, the EPP allegedly bypassed long-standing rules governing the distribution of dossiers, striking a political deal with hard-right forces to secure control of the sensitive file. “This is a new historic low: sacrificing human rights and the rule of law for political games,” Strik added.
“European citizens are demanding responses”
MEP Ciriani, the newly appointed rapporteur, is member of the Italian far-right political party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy). Within the European parliament, he belongs among key figures in the ECR group and also is vice-coordinator of the LIBE Committee.
Mr Ciriani fiercely defended his appointment. “It is a great honor to have been designated as rapporteur for the legislative dossier on the list of safe third countries. It’s a role of significant political weight, which I accept with a strong sense of responsibility and awareness of the strategic importance of the issue,” MEP Ciriani said.
Our goal is to contribute to a migration reform that is both effective and sustainable. – MEP Alessandro Ciriani (ECR/ITA)
Alessandro Ciriani emphasized his commitment to work “with seriousness, rigor, and a spirit of cooperation.” He also suggested that “broad cross-party convergence is possible”. Mr Ciriani emphasized the calls for a more pragmatic approach from governments of different political orientations. “European citizens are demanding credible responses, and we intend to build them through careful, concrete work that respects our mandate. Our goal is to contribute to a migration reform that is both effective and sustainable. One that lives up to expectations and meets the challenges Europe is facing,” said the Italian MEP.
Safe country concept a major sticking point
Among the most critical voices is that of MEP Cecilia Strada (S&D/ITA) who is also a human rights activist. Ms Strada shared a somber and personal reflection on what she expects from the upcoming legislative term in Brussels. “I think it’s going to be extremely frustrating. A legislature of resistance, where we’ll try to oppose things in every possible way, to minimize the damage, knowing that the majority is what it is and that they potentially have the votes to push through the worst policies and shut us out completely,” told Strada EU Perspectives.
It is going to be a legislature of resistance, we will try to oppose it in every possible way. – MEP Cecilia Strada (S&D/ITA)
The concept of a ’safe third country’ is central to the EU’s evolving migration framework. It aims to expedite deportation procedures for asylum seekers arriving from countries deemed “safe” by European institutions. However, many progressive parties warn that such classifications could be used to bypass individual protections and lower international protection standards.
Several MEPs have expressed concern that the emerging EPP‑ECR axis could become the norm in future migration-related decisions. That would sideline progressive groups and shif the traditional political balance in the Parliament. Critics say it sets a dangerous precedent that could fundamentally alter Europe’s approach to one of its most divisive issues.
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Strada went even further, speaking about the broader political strategy behind border externalization. “I honestly don’t think they even believe in the so-called ‘migrant invasion.’ It’s just a convenient excuse to avoid answering the real questions from their voters – about jobs, about a burning planet, about why we can’t access healthcare. Blaming people who arrive is easier than facing the truth,” said the Italian MEP.
