Migration had been a topic of fierce debate across Europe for the better part of a decade at this point. Scores of migrants, hailing from Africa and the Middle East, have been arriving at European shores in droves over the course of the last decade.
Likewise, as the numbers of migrants arriving my at European shores have risen, the trend of right-wing political parties gaining prominence across Europe has increased as well. This increase in right wing and far right parties have largely been a result of the influx of migrants that have arrived in Europe over the years.
The election victory of Geert Wilders in the Netherlands is a glaring example of this trend. The victory by Wilders, who has spent much of his long political career demonising migrants, from Islamic countries especially, shows a sharp right turn by the electorate in the Netherlands.
While other opposition parties had initially opposed forming any kind of coalition with him, citing his “Islamophobic” rhetoric, it has recently been announced that Wilders has managed to form a government with other right wing parties within the Netherlands. Though he may likely not serve as prime minister, his anti-migrant views will play a major role in the policy of the Dutch government.
Not just the Netherlands, Right wing parties that are opposed to the arrival of migrants have popped up in many European countries. Georgia Meloni’s ruling Brothers of Italy party, Marie Le Pen’s National Rally party in France, The AFD in Germany, Vox in Spain, Poland’s Law and Justice Party and Viktor Orban’s ruling party in Hungary are some of the most prominent examples.
With the European elections currently taking place, it seems that Ursula von der Leyen will likely form a coalition with right wing parties to keep her position as president of the European Commission, solidifying the anti-migration agenda of many European politicians at the EU level.
Europe had been accepting of migrants
It may be easy to forget this, considering the current political climate within Europe, however, initially Europeans had been largely supportive of migrants arriving from lower income countries.
The famous quote from German’s then Chancellor Angela Merkel saying “Wir schaffen das” (we will deal with it), is often cited when reminiscing about Europe’s open approach towards migrants at the time.
They had seen these migrants as desperate people fleeing difficult situations, looking for a better life in Europe for themselves and their loved ones. So many Europeans had been sympathetic towards the struggle of migrants arriving in their countries.
Likewise, there had been underlying sentiments of white-guilt felt by Europeans. The rationale being that, due to Europe’s colonial past, of exploiting many of its former colonies, this perhaps was a way for Europe to make up for its sins of the past.
Attitude shift towards migrants
This sentiment of being more accepting of migrants, however, didn’t last long. The cultural differences between migrants arriving from more socially conservative backgrounds often clashed with Europe’s more socially liberal way of life.
Cultural differences around this like women’s rights and tolerance of LGBTQ people began surfacing and caused a strain in European views on migrant communities. That fact that a sizable proportion of migrants arriving came from Islamic societies that held extremely conservative beliefs, exacerbated these cultural differences.
Likewise, issues of criminality around certain cohorts of migrant communities have become a major point of contention. While most migrants do seek to enter Europe in search of a better life, there are bad apples who take advantage of the opportunity as well.
It’s not as background checks of large swaths of migrants arriving on a boat are easy to come by. As a result, criminal gangs made up of migrants have caused trouble in many European cities. Coupled with the fact that they typically receive greater media attention due to the fact that they are of migrant backgrounds, attitudes towards migrants have soured among many Europeans.
Another point of major contention that has soured European’s views on Migrants has been Europe’s housing crisis. Europe, like many developed nations, is currently facing a major housing crisis due to a major shortage in housing availability.
While it may be true to say that the influx of migrants arriving in Europe has definitely played a role in exacerbating this already worrying trend across the continent. The reasoning behind Europe’s housing crisis, largely has to do with the fact that not nearly enough housing has been built, to house the current population. However, migrants have been scapegoated as being part of the reason for the housing shortage by some within Europe.
Rise of Far Right Parties
To say that all Europeans had been accepting of migrants would not be a true reflection of reality. There had always been a cohort of Europeans who had been completely opposed to accepting migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
They would argue that due to the cultural differences migrants from more socially conservative backgrounds wouldn’t be able to properly assimilate into society. Therefore, they would argue that only migrants that hold similar cultural values should be allowed to enter Europe.
Members of this right wing cohort, take issue with the lack of background checks done on migrants arriving into Europe and claiming asylum. They argue that the immigration system put in place in order to ensure that people without criminal backgrounds are prevented from entering Europe is being undermined. They would point towards the criminality displayed by certain cohorts of migrant groups as a consequence of this system of asylum seekers arriving in droves through the Mediterranean Sea.
Likewise, these are the cohorts of Europeans who hold bigoted views towards all migrants who aren’t of European descent. Therefore, the idea of importing migrants from Middle Eastern or African countries is something they would oppose, no matter the circumstance.
The rate of migration isn’t subsidising
The unfortunate reality for these right wing politicians is that the rate of migration towards Europe is not subsiding. According to the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), from January to September 2023, more than 187,000 migrants had attempted to reach Europe. The numbers of people arriving to cross the Mediterranean continue to be an issue for Europe.
The reason Giorgia Meloni managed to get elected prime minister in Italy, was because of her promise to curb the large influx of migrants arriving at Italy’s shores. However, despite Meloni’s best efforts most migrants (around 83 percent, per IOM statistics) continue to arrive in Italy through the Mediterranean Sea.
The fact is that, we are talking about desperate people, looking towards Europe, in search of a better life. Some migrants are fleeing violence, instability, or persecution in their country of origin. Some are fleeing poverty, in search of better economic opportunities in Europe.
Until those root causes are addressed in African and Middle Eastern countries, the problem of migration will likely continue to be a major issue for Europe to contend with. These migrants are so desperate, they are often willing to face death at sea in their pursuit of arriving at European shores. The election of anti-immigrant politicians will likely not be enough to completely deter their ambitions for a better life.
