Story perspectives

EU Parliament Passes “Return Regulation” Allowing Offshoring Deportations

8/18/2026

Summary

EPP Blocks Referral

In July 2026 the EPP and far-right MEPs blocked a criminal referral over €276,000 irregular PfE spending, letting the group repay and close the file.
The EPP’s alignment with far-right legislators created a governing majority that rolled back EU standards on migration, climate, corporate accountability and AI, labeling the changes “simplification.”
German CDU/CSU members of the EPP invoke a firewall against the AfD despite the party’s cooperation with far-right legislators.

Summary

Weber pushes deportations

EU Parliament passed the “return regulation”, permitting deportations to detention centres outside EU territory.
Right-wing MEPs celebrated in the chamber with chants of “Send them back! Send them back!” and raised fists.
The law lets member states send migrants to facilities beyond EU borders, limiting judicial protection and public oversight.
Manfred Weber, EPP leader in the European Parliament, called for rapid African deportation centres and swift implementation of the regulation.

History

Historical Context

In March 2016 the EU and Turkey signed a statement brokered by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pledging €3 billion and a “one-for-one” return scheme that halved irregular arrivals. The deal deepened functional EU-Turkey cooperation and stalled accession talks. Today the EU Parliament’s return regulation, backed by Manfred Weber and Matteo Salvini, extends that external-border model to non-EU facilities.

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EPP Blocks Referral

In July 2026 the EPP and far-right MEPs blocked a criminal referral over €276,000 irregular PfE spending, letting the group repay and close the file.
The EPP’s alignment with far-right legislators created a governing majority that rolled back EU standards on migration, climate, corporate accountability and AI, labeling the changes “simplification.”
German CDU/CSU members of the EPP invoke a firewall against the AfD despite the party’s cooperation with far-right legislators.

1 / 3