With 389 votes to 206 and 32 abstentions, the parliament chose to follow the line negotiated by, among others, the SD's Charlie Weimers.
That makes Weimers really happy.
This is the Sweden Democrats' biggest negotiating success ever in the European Parliament. It will now be easier to send illegal immigrants home, people who should not be in Europe, says Weimers.
Hubs outside the EU
The decision means that final negotiations can now begin with the EU member states, which have already agreed on a similar position in the Council of Ministers.
The so-called Return Directive includes a provision to establish return hubs in countries outside the EU, where people who are to be deported but cannot return to their home countries for various reasons can be gathered.
Large parts of the center and left in the European Parliament are highly critical of the fact that the large Christian-democratic conservative party group EPP, which includes M and KD, has chosen to cooperate with the three far-right groups on the issue.
“I am ashamed”
It is a day of sorrow. Now we are taking a step closer to ICE-style forces in the EU. It is undignified. I am ashamed on behalf of the Swedish right, which has contributed to taking this step, says Alice Bah Kuhnke (MP) and compares it to the hardline migration police in Donald Trump's USA.
Of the Swedes, SD, M and KD voted for the deal, while MP and V voted against. C, L and S in turn chose to abstain from voting.
"We need to continue to take control of immigration to Europe. I regret that the Social Democrats are not prepared to support this and it shows what is at stake in this autumn's elections," writes Tomas Tobé (M) in a text message to TT.
