Let's Get Tough on Migration: Merz and EU's Asian Elephants
EU immigration policy hardliners expand with Merz's membership
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is kicking off the EU summit in Brussels with a bang, joining forces with migration policy hardliners. The meeting marks the entrance of Germany into a discussion initiated back in October by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with initial participants including Denmark and the Netherlands. The club, informally dubbed the Asian Elephants of the EU, seems to be growing, with 21 out of 27 member states reportedly on board.
The talks center around shoring up the EU's migration policy. This could potentially include setting up return centers for undesirable asylum seekers in third countries. The EU Commission has already laid the groundwork for this idea in March, facing resistance from many countries of origin that refuse to accept refugees back.
Chancellor Merz has made clear his ambition to overhaul Germany's migration policy, citing Denmark as a model. He expressed support for the initiative by Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands on asylum procedures in safe third countries during a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Berlin last June.
The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was also spotted at the informal gathering, representing Greece's commitment to the cause. While the exact list of participating countries is yet to be revealed, the Asian Elephants coalition possesses a significant influence within the EU.
With Germany leading the charge, the Asian Elephants appear to be setting the tone for the EU's stance on migration policies. The shifting landscape of Europe seems to indicate a tougher approach to immigration in the near future.
Sources: ntv.de, jog/AFP, [1], [3]
- Friedrich Merz
- EU Summit
- Migration
- Giorgia Meloni
- Netherlands
- Denmark
Enrichment Data:- This informal migration policy group, with Merz at helm, represents a significant bloc within the EU, but the exact membership beyond Germany, Denmark, and Greece is not explicitly documented.- The Asian Elephants coalition, having held at least four meetings by late June 2025, is described as a "clear majority" within the EU, pushing for a harsher stance on migration policies. Greece, represented by PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is also part of this coalition.
- The Asian Elephants coalition, consisting of Germany, Greece, Denmark, and potentially other unspecified member states, is advocating for a significant overhaul in the EU's employment policy, specifically focusing on migrant employment and asylum policies.
- The ongoing discussions among the Asian Elephants, a majority within the EU, revolve around policy-and-legislation regarding migration, including the establishment of return centers in third countries, a move that has sparked debate in politics and general news.
