Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Irish MEP Mick Wallace criticizes EU Commission President von der Leyen’s migration policies, urging a focus on addressing root causes and condemning militarization and authoritarian partnerships.
An Irish member of the European Parliament slammed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s project to deport irregular migrants to safe third nations and emphasized the necessity to address the root reasons for migration. Mick Wallace voiced worries about the draft manifesto of von der Leyen’s European People’s Party group, which contains a policy reminiscent of the UK’s plan to dispatch irregular migrants to Rwanda.
He highlighted the undemocratic process of von der Leyen’s selection, emphasising that she was not the EPP lead contender in 2019, yet was designated by then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“That does not express very democratic. But if she put herself forward as a candidate in a proper system where you have a true democracy, she would not get elected,” stated Wallace.
“No, the people don’t like her. They see what she’s up to. She is more interested in promoting the interests of the US empire than in advancing the concerns and interests of the people in Europe,” he declared.
EPP Deportation Program
Discoursing the similarity between the EPP’s deportation plan and the UK’s strategy, Wallace highlighted the disappointments of international interventions in regions like the Sahel, where a European military existence has exacerbated poverty and instability rather than helping it.
“It would make far more sense if we started working with the countries at the source of the problem. Why are these people wanting to leave their homeland to make a living?” he questioned rhetorically.
“It is because we are destroying their livelihoods in their lands. There were 20,000 troops in the Sahel region, mostly in Mali. Since 2013, 20,000 EUtroops, 5,000 of them are French. We spent €8 billion from 2015 to 2020. But what was the finances spent on? We dissembled we were going to construct schools and health centres and roads and create jobs. We made it worse. We achieved more poverty. We just want to rob them. We just want to take their resources,” he stated.
Wallace indicates the destruction caused by Western military interventions in countries like Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, which has led to displacement and suffering.
“The US dropping bombs on the likes of Libya and Yemen and then. And Iraq Afghanistan and Syria. After we eliminated the place, we bombed their homes, we bombed their communities. And then we wonder why they desire to come to the EU to try and make a residence, to send money home to their parents or their children,” he stated.
Condemning von der Leyen for her use of power she never owned, particularly in her migration policies and defence initiatives, Wallace emphasised von der Leyen’s agreements with Egypt and Tunisia to curb migration, blaming her of “offshoring our border concerns to autocratic regimes” without proper democratic oversight.
He stressed the need for genuine concern for democracy and human rights, rather than contending with authoritarian governments to control migrants from crossing the Mediterranean. Wallace challenged the logic behind von der Leyen’s proposal to appoint a defence commissioner role, asserting that it prioritizes war over peace and increases military expenditure.
Additionally, Wallace denounced von der Leyen’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that her consent for militarization contradicts the desires of EU citizens. He also criticised von der Leyen’s unwavering backing for Israel despite civilian casualties in Gaza, calling for an ending of support for Zionist interests and highlighting the importance of human rights and equality for Palestinians.
