The implications of the European asylum system on Italy and Greece

Abstract

The European Union was built on respect for human dignity, autonomy, democracy, rule of law and recognition for human rights. Yet, the repercussions of the financial crisis and the spread of terror attacks perpetrated by Middle Eastern nationals prompted the popularity of far-right parties across the EU, predominantly in border Member States. The 2015 refugee crisis placed under the spotlight the limitations of both the Common European Asylum System and the Dublin Regulation for the lack of solidarity and burden-sharing mechanisms in place; resulting in a disproportionate effect on frontline states like Italy and Greece. Driven by economic depression and far-right popularity, traditional parties clutched to their powers by advocating stricter asylum policies to appease their voters. Alan Kurdi became the face of the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean during the refugee crisis. Yet, despite the need for a humanitarian response to the challenges faced at Union level, the lack of solidarity by non-frontline states led far-right parties to increase their opposition vis-à-vis irregular migration. Ad-hoc solutions might have worked before the 2015 refugee crisis, however, as numbers continue to increase, the EU is now in a dire need to address irregular migration from a coordinated European perspective. An emphasis on the need to reform the Dublin System is required to incorporate solidarity and burden sharing to counteract far-right propaganda, and safeguarding human rights. Ever since the refugee crisis, the political fora in Italy and Greece became a tale of two extremes. Both countries face an administrative crisis brought about by the Dublin implications. Lega Nord and Golden Dawn became increasingly popular since the onset of the crisis. Both parties presented themselves as the defenders of the nation to dissatisfied citizens. As the current migrant crisis seems to persist, while instabilities in the Southern-Mediterranean basin continue to increase, the fear of far-right agendas influencing further European and national politics was ignited. Compelling social and ideological changes are dominating the European political atmosphere. The extreme right urges for a strong comeback to the nation state by utilizing the increasing numbers of irregular migrants as scapegoats, playing on the fears of the general population through propaganda and false narratives appearing to protect the Patria against the invasion of foreigners. The increasing popularity of the far-right across the EU, and more drastically in its Southern-Mediterranean border, has detrimental effects on the general migration and asylum policies causing concerns among European liberals as fears of a possible crumble of the European democratic system are looming in. The refugee crisis has shed light on the lack of solidarity and coordinated approaches by the EU and its members for the sudden influx of migrants, leaving the EU in perils of destabilization. Since the 2015 crisis, the questionable approach by the EU, and its abandonment of frontline states provided a fertile ground for far-right parties to flourish and breach Union basic principles, i.e. unity, freedom of movement and human rights.