Q&A: Trending Issues on Migration The EU Refugee Policy in the New Legislative Term: What to Expect? MARCUS ENGLER November 2019 n political controversies in the European Council and the transition to a new legislative term mean that for more than a year the EU’s refugee and migration policies have remained essentially at a deadlock. The newly elected decision­makers at the EU level face enormous challenges when it comes to migration and refugee policies. The number of refugees worldwide continues to rise. n political decisions of the coming months and years are critical, not only in terms of the asylum and refugee policies of the European Union, but also for the long-term stability and urgently needed development of the global refugee and migration regimes. The credibility of the EU as a defender of human rights and a representative of global solidarity is also at stake. n remains scope for an agreement on reform to the Common European Asylum System(CEAS), even as regards the question of how – in a spirit of voluntary solidarity – to divide responsibility. However, when the external dimension of the migration and refugee issue is examined it seems likely that the policy of strict isolation will be maintained. This approach views the decline in the number of arrivals in Europe as the sole yardstick of success, and ignores the many risks which are associated with a policy of externalisation. If these continue to be ignored, we may well witness the erosion of the global refugee regime. n course correction is urgently required. Future decision-makers should return to an honest, evidence-based debate which fully respects European law and international obligations. Responsibility should be redistributed more equitably, and decisions should be reached within the appropriate EU institutions.