What’s driving the day in Brussels.
By EDDY WAX
with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH
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IT’S FRIDAY. We’re fresh from an EU summit where Europe’s leaders paved the way to a far more right-wing migration policy, while shockwaves rippled from the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.
DRIVING THE DAY: FORTRESS EUROPE IS BACK 
EU SLOWLY, THEN SUDDENLY, SWINGS RIGHT ON MIGRATION: There was no big bang or white smoke when EU leaders last night adopted their carefully worded summit “conclusions,” painstakingly sweated over by suit-clad diplomats. But make no mistake, the October EU leaders’ summit marked a major turning point in the way Europe will handle one of its thorniest political challenges.
Drawbridges up: The summit saw European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agree to downgrade what counts as a “safe” non-EU country to return migrants to … promise to quickly rustle up a new law on deporting people whose asylum claims are rejected … firmly support Poland’s proposed drawbridge on asylum claims … and tell journalists what the much-touted notion of “returns hubs” (which Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez disparagingly called “internment centers”) could really mean.
Fortress revolution: Ideas “that were untouchable even six months ago are now the consensus position in Europe,” said one European diplomat when the meeting wrapped up.
Why EUCO matters: Though the European Council doesn’t have the right to make legally binding proposals, what it marks onto the page is still the most indelible, precedent-setting assertion of the Union’s political intent.
TUSK REMAKING EUROPE IN HIS IMAGE: Another hint that the EU’s migration policy has moved right was the show of support for Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who arrived at the summit after controversially proposing to remove asylum rights for people who cross the border from Russia and Belarus, accusing the two countries of weaponizing migrants.
“What I wanted to achieve, I achieved,” said Tusk. “Russia and Belarus, or any other country, cannot be allowed to abuse our values,” the joint language agreed by the 27 EU leaders around 9 p.m. last night states. “Exceptional situations require appropriate measures.”
In perfect unison: Both Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel described Russia and Belarus’ actions as hybrid attacks. Questioned at a press conference on whether an asylum suspension would be compatible with international law, von der Leyen said it would, “if the measures are temporary and proportionate.” In other words, the lawyers will make it work.
ELEPHANT (TUSK) IN THE ROOM: Remember that massive hue and cry about the need to finally agree the EU’s comprehensive Pact on Migration and Asylum before the June European election? Well, the pact doesn’t even rate a mention in the final wording of the summit conclusions.
That’s another win for Tusk, who wanted to avoid overtly endorsing a set of laws Poland has rejected, for fear of fueling the country’s Law & Justice opposition. But it also shows the extent to which the appetite for tougher migration laws is outpacing the glacial reality of what the EU can implement. There’s a two-year lag as the EU implements the Migration Pact — though many countries want to speed things up.
SCOOP — TOP-SECRET NOTES: Tusk didn’t even want the European Council to adopt conclusions on migration, according to top-secret minutes seen by Playbook; he only wanted the final report to state EU leaders discussed the topic. So that’s one battle he lost.
Other revelations: Tusk told his fellow leaders that Russia and Belarus’ weaponization of migrants costs Poland €600 million a year. He added that the migrants who enter Poland from Russia and Belarus aren’t staying put, but rather moving on to other EU countries. The notes also show Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for a new EU law to tackle the instrumentalization of migration — a threat his country has also faced from Russia. Leaders discussed sanctioning airlines that are involved in sending migrants to the EU for political reasons.
What’s a hub? Von der Leyen made it clear that the “returns hubs” that are being mooted as a way to handle migration problems at arm’s length are closer to the U.K.’s Rwanda scheme (which has been deemed unlawful) than they are to Italy’s nascent Albania deal. Return hubs concern “those who have no right to stay in the European Union,” von der Leyen said at a press conference. In other words, it’s where you get dumped if your asylum claim is rejected.
EUROPE GETS TRUMPY: In summary, if you think Donald Trump’s migration policies are extreme, have a look at the EU, writes my fellow Playbooker Nicholas Vinocur in today’s must-read piece.
VDL UNDER SCRUTINY
MIGRATION HAWKS’ BREAKFAST: Before the summit began, a gaggle of the 10 or so EU leaders who are the most hawkish on migration, ranging from Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, met for a breakfast to hammer out a strategy for the EUCO. And as is often the case in Brussels, it’s the pre-meeting where the real decisions are made.
Breakfast at Meloni’s: The meeting took place in the Italian delegation’s room at the Europa building. In attendance: Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands (the organizers), as well as Austria, Cyprus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia. And Ursula von der Leyen. Pic here.
Why was VDL there? The Commission is increasingly neglecting its institutional role “and on migration that is highly problematic,” Greens’ co-chief Bas Eickhout told Playbook, criticizing von der Leyen for taking part in such a politically charged meeting. The Commission should be “upholding the legislation … and making sure there’s implementation. She’s also not doing that,” Eickhout added, meandering through the Justus Lipsius building.
Why wasn’t Charles Michel there? The Council is his house, after all, and the EUCO his summit. “As the chair of the leaders’ meeting it is key to maintain the trust, impartiality and unity of all members,” sniffed Michel’s spokesperson Ecaterina Casinge on X, throwing shade at von der Leyen.
SPEAKING OF MICHEL AND VDL: During last night’s post-summit press conference, Michel popped in his live interpretation earpiece when a British journalist — the Wall Street Journal’s Laurence Norman — started speaking English; von der Leyen needed help when a French journalist — Le Point’s Emmanuel Berretta — posed his question en français. Thank God for interpreters.
ISRAEL TAKES OUT SINWAR
EU’S UNIFIED RESPONSE TO SINWAR’S KILLING: The EU leadership was more united on the Middle East than it had been for months when it came to reacting to Israel killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Borrell says: “Yahya Sinwar was a terrorist, listed by the EU, responsible for the heinous 7/10 attack … He was an obstacle to an urgently needed ceasefire & the unconditional release of all hostages,” tweeted EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell last night.
VDL and Michel agree: Ursula von der Leyen referred to “the killings, the massacres, the rapes, and the kidnapping” Sinwar was responsible for on Oct. 7, and said his death significantly weakened Hamas. Charles Michel went a step further, saying Sinwar was behind not just the Oct. 7 attack, but “also responsible for the immense suffering of the people in Gaza because of his action.”
French view: French President Emmanuel Macron said: “We should seize this opportunity to free hostages and to end the war.” Sasha Schroeder has a roundup of the European reactions, while our Stateside colleagues have more from Washington.
Not so fast: While Western leaders were cautiously optimistic that the Hamas leader’s death increased the chance of peace in Gaza, Lebanon-based and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it was preparing for a “new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel,” Reuters reported. Tehran said “the spirit of resistance will be strengthened” by Sinwar’s death.
ZELENSKYY MEETS EUROPE’S FAR RIGHT
ZELENSKYY IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: The moment may have gone somewhat unnoticed, but Jordan Bardella, the far-right leader in the European Parliament, shook hands with Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thursday, as Parliament chief Roberta Metsola welcomed the Ukrainian president for lunch in her 12th-floor suite. Bardella has — à la Giorgia Meloni — been recasting his French far-right National Rally as a Ukraine ally.
Why it mattered: Bardella’s handshake was the peak of a week in which the growing Patriots group left its mark on the Brussels mainstream: It held its first pre-summit meeting as the third-largest force in the European Parliament, and arguably influenced the Council agenda more than ever before.
NOT A HUGE TURNOUT FOR ZELENSKYY: But while there were plenty of warm words for the Ukrainian president, several of Parliament’s political chiefs only managed to stay for a photo — like the Socialists’ Iratxe García, who was due to fly to Madrid, and the ECR’s Nicola Procaccini, who also had a flight that couldn’t be moved, per a spokesperson.
Others were no shows. The Left regretted that neither of its leaders could make it as they were not in Brussels, while the extreme-right Europe of Sovereign Nations’ René Aust said he was ill and didn’t want to infect anyone.
Who stayed in the room for the full discussion, dining with Zelenskyy for a little over an hour: the EPP’s Manfred Weber, Renew’s Valérie Hayer, the Greens’ Bas Eickhout, and host Metsola.
Heard enough: Bardella stayed for the photo and listened to Zelenskyy plead for more air-defense systems, more arms deliveries, help from neighboring EU countries shooting down Russian missiles to protect energy infrastructure ahead of winter, and advances in Ukraine’s EU accession talks. Then he left.
1,000 days of war: The European Parliament will mark 1,000 days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Nov. 20, an official told Playbook. “We highly value Roberta Metsola’s personal leadership,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
ON ZELENSKYY’S VICTORY PLAN: But the Ukrainian president leaves Brussels without a stronger European commitment for his victory plan. Long-range strikes at Russian targets remain a no-go for Germany and the U.S., and an immediate invitation to join NATO is a big ask even among Kyiv’s more ardent supporters, as Stuart Lau reports.
Still hopeful: Zelenskyy spoke with the FT’s Henry Foy after meeting with European leaders, and compared their hesitation over Ukraine’s NATO membership to earlier debates about providing Kyiv with Patriot missile systems and F-16 fighter jets: Western capitals dragged their feet, but ultimately agreed. “This is the only way we can survive,” Zelenskyy said. “The war will not finish until Putin feels like he has to finish. And he only understands power.”
Not tired: “This depends not on Russia, but the will of our partners,” Zelenskyy added. “Most are on our side. But we must [pressure] others.” Parliament President Metsola, speaking alongside Zelenskyy, insisted there was “no Ukraine fatigue” among the member countries.
MEET THE CRINKS: It’s the new “Axis of Evil.”
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
RACE TO REPLACE MAMER? Rumors are flying about the identity of the European Commission’s next top spokesperson. Eric Mamer, the incumbent, is yet to say publicly if he’ll stay on — but the expectation is that there will be new faces in the spokesperson’s service (SPP), which reports directly to Ursula von der Leyen.
In the running? Austrian official Alexander Winterstein was oft-mentioned before he took the job of Cabinet chief to incoming Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner. The gossip mill went into overdrive this week with rumors even reaching POLITICO HQ that Mamer’s predecessor Margaritis Schinas could make a comeback.
Margaritis McFly: “Definitely false,” said a member of the outgoing Greek commissioner’s comms team in response. “VP Schinas is not a fan of the ‘Back to the Future’ type of movie plots.”
Changes afoot: Some have said the daily midday briefings will be slashed to three days a week, and take a less defensive posture toward journalists. The new rules for Commission Cabinets — which we scooped this week — didn’t cover staffing for the SPP, though the 2019 iteration did. What gives?
**Get ahead in global trade dynamics. The EU-GCC summit is setting new trade policies that will impact economies worldwide. Get exclusive updates on emerging trade deals, economic ties, and market shifts with POLITICO Pro Morning Trade, where our reporters keep you updated on the latest trade policies. Sign up for a one-week trial – don’t miss out.**
IN OTHER NEWS
ELON MUSK WON’T WIN EU HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE: Despite two hard-right parties in the European Parliament pushing for him to receive the 2024 Sakharov Prize, tech mogul Elon Musk was voted out on Thursday, Mathieu Pollet reports.
MOLDOVA VOTES: Voters in Moldova go to the polls this weekend for two elections with huge consequences for the country: a presidential ballot and referendum on joining the EU. Gabriel Gavin has this curtain-raiser, while Kristina WiIfore reports that Russia is using gendered disinformation to try to influence the outcome.
EURONEWS NEWS: The new CEO and editorial director of Euronews stressed he’d never accept a job that would be subject to a political leader’s orders amid employees’ fears his hire is tied to the TV channel owner’s financial and personal ties to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. Elisa Braun has the full story.
TODAY’S TOP BELGIAN READ: Bart De Wever has spent his entire political career trying to break up Belgium. Now he’s on track to become its prime minister — even though he insists he doesn’t want the job. Barbara Moens has the story.
YEAR OF YADDA YADDA YADDA: This week’s episode of the EU Confidential podcast is a show about nothing. No, we’re not going full Seinfeld, but the lack of action from Brussels that started this spring and will extend into the new year is becoming a comedy of the absurd. Or a tragedy. Host Sarah Wheaton explores the reasons for the political paralysis amid global crises with seasoned lobbyist Aaron McLoughlin and POLITICO’s Nick Vinocur and Barbara Moens. We also dig into the EU’s debate over deportations and hear excerpts of the POLITICO Live/AmChamEU debate about what the U.S. election means for Europe. Listen here.
AGENDA
— Informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in trade formation … Arrivals at 8:20 a.m. … speech by the Hungarian presidency at 10:45 a.m. Watch.
— Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz receives U.S. President Joe Biden.
— Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Aqaba, Jordan.
— EU High Representative Josep Borrell participates in the G7 ministerial meeting on defense in Naples; participates in the New Economy Forum.
— European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis is in Latvia, where he participates in the panel discussion “What is the Path to a Ukrainian Victory?” at 9 a.m. Watch.
BRUSSELS CORNER
WEATHER: High of 18C, mostly cloudy.
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Whether you’re more of a coffee purist or adventurous enough to try a pineapple Americano, Kosta has got you covered. POLITICO’s Kathryn Carlson checked out the extremely Instagrammable café with tasty — but pricey — brunch options.
SPEAKING OF COFFEE: Join the Brussels Coffee Show on the weekend for specialty coffee and artisanal chocolate. Enthusiasts can become Q Graders (the coffee equivalent of a sommelier) for a day. Opens Saturday at 10 a.m. at Gare Maritime.
MUSEUM NIGHT FEVER: On Saturday, 28 museums will open their doors between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., showcasing the work of up-and-coming local artists. Those who still don’t want to call it a night after that can join the afterparties at Botanique and C1. Participating museums here.
BIRTHDAYS: MEP Adrian-George Axinia; former MEPs Tania González Peñas and Dobromir Sośnierz; IRSEM’s Philippe Perchoc; former French Minister Axelle Lemaire; Marion Smith, executive director of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation; James Daunt, founder of Daunt Books; Austria’s Coreper II spokesperson Oliver Tanzer.
CELEBRATING SATURDAY: MEP Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain; former MEP Pierre Karleskind, Beata Mazurek and Pierre Larrouturou; POLITICO’s Sarah Wheaton and Giovanna Coi; Stanisław Gądecki, archbishop of Poznań, Poland and POLITICO 28 alum; Marco Uccelli of the EFTA Surveillance Authority; Mavence’s Anna Aleksandra Koj.
CELEBRATING SUNDAY: EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly; MEPs Erik Marquardt and Fabienne Keller; former MEP Leopoldo López Gil and Carlos Iturgaiz; European Parliament’s Anne Liekenbrock; Helen McAvoy, a former European Parliament head of division; U.S. Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris; Eurogroup President and Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe; European Parliament’s Cristiano Bosco.
THANKS TO: Nicholas Vinocur, Sarah Wheaton, Nektaria Stamouli, Hans von der Burchard, Stuart Lau, Clea Caulcutt, Elisa Braun, Giorgio Leali, Max Griera; Playbook editor Alex Spence, Playbook reporter Šejla Ahmatović and producer Catherine Bouris.
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Publish date : 2024-10-17 23:10:00
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