France has thrown a spanner in the works of the European Union’s plan to open return centres for rejected asylum seekers in third countries, with President Emmanuel Macron declaring on Friday that such facilities run counter to the bloc’s founding values.

Speaking ahead of an emergency EU summit in Brussels, Macron told reporters that he would “oppose the use of the EU budget to build them,” adding: “I am not sure that this is the Europe we want.” His remarks came as 19 member states, including the Czech Republic, signed a joint letter urging faster implementation of the EU’s return regulation and the swift transfer of irregular migrants to facilities outside the bloc.

The Franco-Spanish pushback marks a sharp reversal from the Meloni-Frederiksen model, named after Italy’s Prime Minister and Denmark’s former migration minister, which envisages EU-funded centres in North Africa and the Balkans to process and repatriate those with no legal right to stay. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, attending the same summit, defended regularisation and labour-market inclusion instead, telling reporters: “That is what businesses are calling for.”

Macron’s objections extend beyond budgetary concerns. In an interview with *Libération*, a collective of French art directors accused his government of abandoning 87 researchers and artists stranded in Gaza after Paris suspended the Collège de France’s “Pause” programme, calling the situation “absurd and tragic.”

The diplomatic rupture complicates a policy already under strain. Humanitarian groups warn that the EU’s migration stance is drifting toward crisis, while Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Janša hailed the 19-country alliance as a sign that “the end is near” for left-wing electoral support on the issue.

With the European Council meeting in session, the bloc now faces a stark choice: either water down the return-centre plan to accommodate Macron’s objections or risk a budgetary and political showdown that could derail broader EU priorities.

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Articles

Janša: Bliža se konec uvažanja volivcev za evropsko levico. Macron: To ni Evropa, ki si jo želimo. Slovenija je skupaj s še 18 članicami EU-ja podprla pospešitev izvajanja uredbe o vračanju prebežnikov, ki nimajo pravice do bivanja v Uniji, v tretje države. Francija in Španija sta proti centrom za vračanje migrantov v tretjih državah.

rtv slovenia · 14 days ago

Macron: centros de migrantes contrariam valores europeus Macron precisou ainda que se opõe à utilização do orçamento europeu para financiar a construção destes centros

observador · 14 days ago

Není možné, aby převaděči vydělávali. Devatenáct zemí, včetně Česka, podpořilo dopis o migraci Migrační politika Evropské unie musí přinést výsledky, které budou mít dopad na životy lidí v EU. V dopise předsedovi Evropské rady Antóniu Costovi a šéfce Evropské komise Ursule von der Leyenové to uvedlo 19 členských států Evropské unie včetně České republiky. Hlavy zemí, které zastávají podobné postoje ke zpřísnění migrační politiky EU, se v pátek ráno ještě před začátkem jednání summitu zúčastnily takzvané migrační snídaně.

irozhlas.cz · 14 days ago

EU setzt auf Rückkehrzentren in Drittstaaten, doch plötzlich hat Macron Einwände Rückkehrzentren in Drittstaaten sollen illegale Migranten aufnehmen, die weder in der EU bleiben dürfen noch in ihre Heimat zurückkehren können. EU-weit gibt es eine Mehrheit dafür, doch ausgerechnet Frankreich stellt sich quer.

welt.de · 14 days ago

Sánchez evita criticar que Zapatero se quedara con las joyas y no pide que las devuelva El presidente del Gobierno no censura que Zapatero se quedara con unas joyas supuestamente regaladas durante su etapa en Moncloa y evita pedir que las devuelva

el confidencial · 14 days ago

Abschiebungen aus der EU: Emmanuel Macron gegen EU-Pläne für Abschiebezentren in Drittstaaten Der französische Präsident kritisiert die unter anderem von Deutschland geplanten Abschiebezentren außerhalb der EU. »Ich bin nicht sicher, dass das unser Europa ist.«

die zeit · 14 days ago

Frankreich: Keine Abschiebezentren in Drittländern

orf.at · 14 days ago

Europe is not this: Macron and Sánchez oppose the Meloni-Frederiksen model for repatriation centres "I will oppose the use of the EU budget to build them," warns the occupant of the Élysée Palace. Meanwhile, the Spanish Prime Minister defends regularisation and inclusion: "That is what businesses are calling for."

eunews.it · 14 days ago

Humanitarian groups warn of crisis in EU migration policies

gdeltproject.org · 14 days ago

📰 Sánchez backs international dialogue against other leaders: A Europe open to the worldSpains prime minister used the European Council summit to urge a more ambitious multiannual budget, and voiced solidarity with Meloni after Trump said she begged him for a photo. #UKNews #Europe

mastodon bot · 14 days ago

Mais de 20 portugueses pediram asilo no Reino Unido em 2025 Muitos destes requerentes de asilo, incluindo portugueses, são alojados temporariamente pelo Estado britânico, nomeadamente em hotéis, enquanto aguardam decisão sobre os seus pedidos, e têm direito a um subsídio semanal de 57 euros

observador · 14 days ago

Maioria de refugiados chega de África e América Latina "Migrações forçadas, que são as que solicitam refúgio em larga escala, não estão a diminuir, ao contrário, estão a aumentar", declara Pedro Góis

observador · 14 days ago

La France doit, comme lItalie ou lEspagne, rapatrier les chercheurs et les artistes bloqués à Gaza Quatre-vingt-sept femmes et hommes sont retenus depuis des mois à Gaza du fait de la suspension du programme Pause du Collège de France, voulue par le ministère de lIntérieur français. Une situation ubuesque et dramatique que dénonce un collectif de directeur·rices de centres dart.

liberation · 14 days ago

France opposes return hubs for migrants in third countries, Macron says

gdeltproject.org · 14 days ago

Number of Refugees in Germany Hits Record High of Four Million

gdeltproject.org · 14 days ago

Πάνω από 150 μετανάστες σε μια ημέρα διέσωσαν οι γαλλικές Αρχές στη Μάγχη

protothema · 14 days ago

Landene med størst visumvansker: – De som lager moroa NEW YORK: Tilhengere fra noen VM-land har hatt større problemer enn andre med å komme seg inn i USA.

aftenposten · 14 days ago

Pressure Increases on Bosnia to Harmonise Visa Policy with EU Pressure is growing for Bosnia and Herzegovina to harmonise its visa policy with the EU and to eliminate visa-free travel for citizens of Turkey, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia.

balkaninsight · 14 days ago

Janša: Bliža se konec uvažanja volivcev za evropsko levico Slovenija je skupaj s še 18 članicami EU-ja podprla pospešitev izvajanja uredbe o vračanju prebežnikov, ki nimajo pravice do bivanja v Uniji, v tretje države. Premier Janez Janša je napovedal, da se bo Slovenija pridružila prvi pobudi na tem področju.

rtv slovenia · 14 days ago