A researcher from the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS) suggests that due to intense migratory pressure on Spain, there may be calls for other European nations to contribute to resolving the crisis.
In response, Sweden’s Minister for Migration has declared that Sweden will not accept more asylum seekers.
The unprecedented influx of migrants toward the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has become one of the greatest tests of the European Union’s new asylum pact. Bernd Barschel, a researcher at the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies, states that this crisis could test the capacity of EU member states to cooperate and share responsibility.
Barschel noted that if the number of migrants exerts excessive pressure on Spain, there may be requests for other European countries to assist in managing the crisis.
He stated, “In a situation where Sweden is accepting a very small number of asylum seekers, it is difficult to say that this will have no impact on the situation. There may be calls for the redistribution of migrants.”
In response, Johan Forssell, the Swedish Minister for Migration, declared that Stockholm does not intend to be part of any migrant redistribution process.
He told the Swedish newspaper Expressen that if the solidarity mechanism within the EU’s new asylum pact is activated, Sweden is prepared to provide financial assistance, but it will not accept asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats (SD), has called for Spain to close its borders. He threatened that if Madrid does not take this step, discussions must be held regarding Spain’s continued participation in the Schengen Area, and border controls with the country should be reinstated.