SD Demands EU to Clarify Rules on Safe Third Countries and Sign Agreements for Asylum Examination Outside the Union
The Sweden Democrats (SD) party is calling on Sweden, along with other like-minded member states, to push for clearer regulations on safe third countries within the European Union (EU). They also want the EU to sign agreements with countries outside the Union to relocate asylum examinations. SD argues that this approach has been successful in Australia, where the number of migrants risking their lives on unseaworthy boats has been drastically reduced.
Denmark and Great Britain have also expressed interest in moving their asylum processes abroad and have already signed an agreement with Rwanda to establish reception centers. However, these plans have faced opposition from the European Commission and the British court.
SD plans to prioritize this issue during the renegotiation of the Tidö agreement with the Moderate Party (M), Christian Democrats (KD), and Liberals (L) this autumn. However, the Liberal party leader Johan Pehrson remains skeptical about the proposal, emphasizing the Tidö parties’ commitment to protecting the right to asylum.
On the other hand, Pehrson supports the EU’s efforts to quickly return individuals who are not granted asylum to safe countries. The EU Commission is currently negotiating an agreement with Tunisia to prevent migrants from attempting the dangerous Mediterranean route in exchange for budget support. Pehrson believes that more efforts should be made in North Africa to discourage people from embarking on dangerous journeys.
SD’s group leader in the Riksdag, Linda Lindberg, argues that the majority of asylum seekers do not have protection needs and highlights that there is no obligation to accept economic migrants. The party suggests that having asylum cases evaluated in countries outside the Union would remove the financial incentive for life-threatening boat trips.
Linda Lindberg, in place of SD leader Jimmie Åkesson, is expected to address these issues during her speech in Almedalen, Visby.