Abstract
Policy brief
Improving political integration of immigrants is an important task for the European Union. The number of people with an immigrant background in the EU is gradually rising, a trend that is expected to continue. As a result, immigrants and their descendants are likely to play an increasingly significant role in the political life of Member States as well as at the European level. Nevertheless, political parties in the EU seem to have neglected this phenomenon. Immigrants from third countries and their descendants do not frequently appear as party members; party leaders at the local, regional, national and EU levels; or as paid officials and candidates. Political parties should therefore consider more carefully the political potential of immigrants and their descendants.
Political parties in the EU should pay attention to the gradually increasing presence of immigrants from third countries and their descendants. From a democratic viewpoint, it is necessary to involve immigrants in the political process as voters, party members, candidates and office holders. Onwards, national debates need to focus on the political rights of immigrants. Where rules prevent non-citizens from voting and running for office, alternatives to political participation could be explored, for example based on consultation with immigrant organisations. In any case, an exclusion of groups of people from the political process should be avoided. People with immigrant backgrounds are generally willing to go to the polls. It is therefore in political parties’ self-interest that relevant party documents and election manifestos reflect the importance of immigrant voters and highlight issues relevant to them.
The European centre-right should clarify its message for people with a migration background through its election manifestos and public statements and reach out to immigrant communities through its campaign strategies. There is no reason to allow an appropriation of the immigrant vote by the left. Policies and practices should be adopted with a view to increase the number of centre-right immigrant office holders at local, regional, national and European levels. This would demonstrate that centre-right parties represent the entire electorate.
Footnotes