On 30 July 2026, Özlem Demirel, a German MEP from The Left group, submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission, challenging the basis on which the EU executive and member states classify irregular migration at the EU's external borders as 'hybrid warfare'. Demirel's question targets the growing practice, particularly by Latvia and Poland, of framing migration from Belarus as a deliberate weapon, and asks the Commission to clarify its own role in such classifications, including the criteria it uses and whether it shares the member states' assessments. The question directly affects border states, migrants, and the EU's border management agencies, as it probes the legal and operational standards behind a policy shift that has seen military assets deployed at borders and increased investment in border infrastructure.
The written question, addressed to the Commission, seeks three specific clarifications: first, whether the Commission agrees with Latvia and other member states that migration at the Belarus border constitutes 'hybrid warfare'; second, a breakdown, by member state and period over the past five years, of incidents the Commission itself has classified as 'hybrid threats' or 'hybrid attacks' along EU external borders; and third, the precise criteria the Commission applies for such classifications, and how these differ from those used by Frontex or individual member states. The question is notable for its concrete asks, demanding a detailed historical record and a comparative analysis of classification standards, rather than a general statement of concern.
The question reflects a broader policy orientation within the EU, where border security has been increasingly securitised, with the Commission investing heavily in border infrastructure and considering the use of Eurosur to monitor such incidents. Demirel's initiative pushes back against this trend, seeking transparency and accountability in how the EU and its members define and respond to migration-related security threats. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its response will signal whether it endorses the member states' 'hybrid warfare' framing or seeks a more nuanced, criteria-based approach, potentially influencing future border management and migration policies across the bloc.