Babiš clashes with EU leaders in heated migration debate at Brussels summit

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was at the center of a heated confrontation over migration policy during last week's European Union summit in Brussels, with diplomatic sources describing the discussions as unusually hostile and at times inappropriate for a meeting of European leaders.

According to Politico, Babiš and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen were among the most outspoken participants in the Oct. 16 debate, using strong language linking immigration policy to the defense of European civilization.

The two-hour discussion exposed deep divisions between EU governments seeking tougher immigration controls and those opposing further restrictions. Babiš later acknowledged that the disagreement had nearly prevented leaders from adopting joint conclusions, particularly following a confrontation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The dispute followed a meeting of like-minded EU leaders earlier Friday, informally known as the "migration breakfast," led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Frederiksen.

Participants discussed proposals that would give member states greater authority to reject asylum applications and strengthen measures against irregular migration.

According to three diplomats cited by Politico, the initiative attracted support from more than a dozen countries but ultimately failed after opposition from French President Emmanuel Macron, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Sánchez.

Diplomatic accounts described the subsequent discussion as highly confrontational. One source reportedly called it "horrible," while others characterized the exchanges as heated and unusually direct.

Two diplomats said Babiš and Frederiksen used particularly strong language about protecting European civilization. Another argued that the debate, while intense, was necessary to address voters' concerns.

Babiš was especially critical of Spain, whose government has pursued a different approach to immigration, including granting legal status to undocumented migrants already living in the country.

Speaking after the summit, the Czech prime minister accused some European leaders of prioritizing migrants over their own citizens.

"Some leaders, perhaps I'm exaggerating, tend to prefer migrants over their own citizens, perhaps so that they will vote for them," Babiš said.

Sánchez defended Spain's policies, arguing that recognizing migrants' rights supports integration and that effective migration management must respect human rights.

Macron also criticized the direction of the discussion, warning that ideological divisions were undermining effective EU cooperation.

Despite the confrontation, EU leaders eventually reached an agreement, although the migration section of the summit's final conclusions was substantially reduced.

Earlier proposals had included stronger language on deportations, cooperation with countries receiving returned migrants, border protection, human smuggling and monitoring social media. Those provisions were removed from the final agreement.

Instead, the European Council's published conclusions acknowledge a strategic discussion on migration and welcome the European Commission's intention to develop an emergency response framework in cooperation with member states.

Leaders also agreed to revisit the issue at a future summit.

The disagreement underscores continuing divisions over European migration policy, including how much authority individual governments should have over asylum decisions and how to balance border enforcement with international obligations.