Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner nominee for Internal Affairs and Migration, underscored the need for a “humane and legally sound” approach to asylum and migration at his confirmation hearing before the European Parliament on Wednesday. The 52-year-old Austrian suggested creating “return hubs” outside the EU to manage rejected asylum seekers, a proposal sparking debate among EU leaders and rights groups.
Brunner argued that these hubs, if carefully implemented, could address irregular migration in a “humane” way, stressing that extensive consultations with member states would be necessary to shape the concept. However, he didn’t specify possible locations or cost estimates, emphasizing that any plan must align with “EU values and legal obligations.”
The nominee faced intense questioning on migration policies, especially concerning outsourcing asylum processing and the EU’s response to human rights concerns. “We need to be open to considering new ideas,” Brunner said, responding to concerns about human rights abuses and the EU’s sluggish deportation rate.
Human rights organizations have expressed strong opposition, warning that such hubs could lead to prolonged detention and suffering. EU law currently prohibits forced deportations to countries without meaningful ties to asylum seekers, adding complexity to Brunner’s proposal. However, the nominee noted that his focus would be a fair and firm policy: “People in need of protection have the right to asylum; people who do not have the right to stay have to return.”
Brunner also referenced Italy’s recent agreement with Albania to process asylum claims outside the EU, a deal delayed by legal challenges and widely criticized by progressive MEPs. He suggested that this arrangement could provide “valuable lessons” for future policy.
The European Commission, Brunner noted, plans to introduce new legislation by July 2025 to streamline the return of rejected asylum seekers. This would include greater digitalization and improved coordination across member states, alongside international outreach to encourage cooperation from origin countries.
Funding for border security was another contentious issue, with right-wing lawmakers pushing for EU support for border fences. Brunner stopped short of outright opposition but indicated that resources might be better used on technology and surveillance instead. “Funding has to be effectively deployed; we owe that to our taxpayers,” he said.
Throughout the hearing, Brunner remained aligned with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s migration policy framework. If confirmed, he will oversee the implementation of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, a reform adopted in May after years of negotiations. He pledged to uphold compliance, even suggesting legal action against countries like Poland and Hungary, which have resisted the pact.
In his closing remarks, Brunner vowed to work toward ending internal border checks in the Schengen Area and advancing Romania and Bulgaria’s accession. This stance raised eyebrows given Austria’s current opposition to their membership, but Brunner reassured MEPs that, if confirmed, he would seek solutions that unify rather than divide the bloc on migration issues.
