The European Commission has refused to register a controversial European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) that sought to halt legal migration from outside Europe and deport legally resident non-European nationals deemed “unintegrated.” The decision, announced on Thursday, has prompted the initiative’s organisers to prepare a legal challenge, which they say could be filed as early as Monday.
The petition, known as the “Save Europe Act,” was spearheaded by Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner, a prominent advocate of the concept of “remigration.” It called for a temporary suspension of all non-Western immigration channels, including study and family reunification visas, and the return to their countries of origin not only of irregular migrants but also of legally resident third-country nationals considered a “serious cultural or financial burden” on member states.
The Commission rejected the initiative on the grounds that it would discriminate on the basis of race and ethnic origin, making it “manifestly contrary” to the EU’s founding values. In a statement, the Commission argued that the proposed suspension of migration channels was based on the ethnic, cultural, or civilisational origin of those concerned, rather than the individual case-by-case assessment required under EU law.
Sellner, speaking to Euronews, said: “We believe the Commission acted against European law by preventing citizens from asking for specific measures.” He confirmed that the group’s legal team is ready to file a lawsuit in the coming days.
The concept of “remigration” has gained traction among far-right parties across Europe, including in Hungary, Spain, Romania, and Italy. According to the campaign’s website, it is backed by nationalist figures such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Spain’s Santiago Abascal, Romania’s George Simion, and Italy’s Roberto Vannacci.
Legal and Political Implications
The European Citizens’ Initiative is a tool that allows EU citizens to request legislative action from the European Commission. If an initiative is deemed admissible and gathers one million signatures from at least seven member states, the Commission must consider it and explain what action, if any, it intends to take. The European Parliament is also required to hold a hearing with the organisers and may vote on a resolution.
The “Save Europe Act” campaign claims to have already gathered nearly 600,000 signatures informally. Last week, around 200 supporters demonstrated outside the European Parliament in Brussels, demanding the initiative be registered.
The Commission’s rejection has been welcomed by pro-European lawmakers. Greens/EFA MEP Cristina Guarda described the petition as “hate propaganda promoted by the far right” and called the decision “a righteous act.” Guarda and other MEPs staged a counter-demonstration outside the European Parliament last week to coincide with the activists’ protest.
The legal challenge now threatens to escalate the dispute, potentially forcing the EU’s highest courts to weigh in on the limits of free speech and political participation under EU law. The case also highlights the growing tension between the EU’s commitment to fundamental rights and the rise of far-right movements across the continent.
For now, the Commission’s refusal to register the initiative stands, but the organisers’ determination to sue suggests that the battle over “remigration” is far from over.
