As the United States threatens new tariffs on Europe and shows renewed interest in Greenland, Russia challenges the continent’s resolve over Ukraine, and climate change accelerates, migration has become one of the most pressing concerns for European citizens. In her annual state-of-the-Union address on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized securing the EU’s external borders and proposed new tools to manage migration, following a mass arrival of people in Ceuta in July. During a two-day period, tens of thousands of mostly Moroccan migrants reportedly overran Spain’s North African enclave.
The incident triggered a blame game and a diplomatic dispute between Spain’s Socialist-led government and Italian far-right leader Giorgia Meloni. It also prompted renewed border controls in places such as Germany, where the far right is again seeking gains in regional elections this weekend. The debate has also focused on several Real Madrid players who declined to take part in a show of solidarity with Ceuta, saying the gesture could be interpreted as an anti-migrant statement. What do Europeans want, and how can aging societies meet their needs?
