Irish MEP criticizes EU Commission head's migrant policy; urges addressing root causes

By Gulcin Kazan Doger

ISTANBUL (AA) - An Irish member of the European Parliament criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plan to deport irregular migrants to safe third countries and emphasized the need to address the root causes of migration.

Mick Wallace voiced concerns to Anadolu about the draft manifesto of von der Leyen's European People's Party (EPP) group, which includes a policy reminiscent of the UK's plan to send irregular migrants to Rwanda.

He underscored the undemocratic process of von der Leyen's selection, highlighting that she was not the EPP (European People’s Party) lead candidate in 2019, yet was appointed by then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

"That does not sound very democratic. But if she put herself forward as a candidate in a proper system where you have a proper democracy, she would not get elected," said 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 she is interested in promoting the concerns and interests of the people in Europe," he said.

- EPP deportation plan

Addressing the similarity between the EPP's deportation plan and the UK's strategy, Wallace highlighted the failures of international interventions in regions like the Sahel, where a European military presence has exacerbated poverty and instability rather than alleviating it.

"It would make far more sense if we actually 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 asked rhetorically.

"It is because we are destroying their livelihoods in their own countries. There were 20,000 troops in the Sahel region, mostly in Mali. Since 2013, 20,000 European troops, 5,000 of them are French. We spent €8 billion ($8.7 billion) from 2015 to 2020. But what was the money spent on? We pretended we were going to build schools and health centers and roads and create jobs. We made it worse. We created more poverty. We just want to rob them. We just want to take their resources," he said.

Wallace points out the devastation caused by Western military interventions in countries like Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, which has led to widespread displacement and suffering.

"The Americans dropping bombs on the likes of Libya and Yemen and then. And Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria. After we destroyed the place, we bombed their homes, we bombed their communities. And then we wonder why they want to come to Europe to try and make a living, to send money home to their parents or their children," he said.

- Von der Leyen's power grab in migration and defense policies

Criticizing von der Leyen for her use of power she never possessed, particularly in her migration policies and defense initiatives, Wallace highlighted von der Leyen's agreements with Egypt and Tunisia to curb migration, accusing her of "offshoring our border problems to autocratic regimes" without proper democratic oversight.

He emphasized the need for genuine concern for democracy and human rights, rather than engaging with authoritarian governments to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean.

Wallace questioned the logic behind von der Leyen's proposal to establish a defense commissioner role, arguing that it prioritizes war over peace and increases military expenditure.

Additionally, Wallace criticized von der Leyen's handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that her support for militarization contradicts the desires of European citizens.

He also denounced von der Leyen's unwavering support for Israel despite civilian casualties in Gaza, calling for an end of support for Zionist interests and emphasizing the importance of human rights and equality for Palestinians.