EU Rejects 'Remigration' Initiative, But Debate Intensifies

The European Commission's rejection of a pan-European popular initiative aimed at the systematic expulsion of immigrant groups is a legally and ethically sound decision, yet it is unlikely to quell the divisive debate. The initiative, known as the "Save Europe Act," targets migrant groups from different cultural backgrounds and has been criticized for promoting simplistic and dangerous generalizations.

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The EU-wide initiative “Save Europe Act” targets migrant groups from other cultural circles.

This push for "remigration," championed by far-right groups like the Identitarians, echoes historical anxieties, reminiscent of Hugo Bettauer's 1922 novel "The City Without Jews." While Bettauer explored the fictional consequences of expelling a minority group, the modern "Save Europe Act" seeks to translate such anxieties into policy. The EU Commission's refusal is grounded in the principle of individual assessment of residency rights and the fundamental European value of equality before the law.

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The great danger of the term is its simplicity. It taps into negative emotions in parts of the population and gives them a seemingly formal legitimacy.

However, the rejection is unlikely to end the discussion. Political parties such as Austria's FPÖ and Germany's AfD are expected to leverage the EU's decision to further their agendas, aiming to legitimize the concept of "remigration." The term's danger lies in its simplicity, tapping into negative emotions and offering a seemingly formal justification for discriminatory policies. While proponents frame it as addressing issues like deporting failed asylum seekers or security threats, policies already integrated into EU law, critics argue that "remigration" masks a broader, more exclusionary agenda, potentially targeting entire communities like Muslims, mirroring historical patterns of persecution.

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This time – the comparison, however difficult, is at least allowed as a thought experiment – it is not about a 'city without Jews', it is about a 'city without Muslims'.