Who decides who belongs in Europe? Safe countries, regularisation and returns

From parliamentary debates to cultural moments that spotlight identity and belonging, migration is not just about policy — it’s about who belongs, who decides, and what kind of Europe is taking shape. This week on The Ring, we look beyond technical language and legal definitions to ask a broader question: can Europe reconcile national migration choices with collective responsibility? The European Parliament is discussing the “safe third country” concept and the creation of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin. At the same time, Spain has approved a large-scale regularisation plan granting legal status to thousands of migrants. MEPs Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Socialists and Democrats) and Tomas Tobé (European People’s Party) clash in a heated debate on one defining question: can the EU balance effective migration management with fundamental rights, or will political divisions once again shape Europe’s path forward?The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.