Organisers of the far-right “Save Europe Act” campaign are mounting a legal challenge against the European Commission after the EU executive body rejected their petition to suspend legal migration channels and enforce the “remigration” of legal third-country nationals, according to statements reported by Euronews on 23 July 2026. The Commission blocked the European Citizens’ Initiative on Thursday, ruling that the proposal violates EU values by discriminating on grounds of race and ethnic origin, prompting Austrian activist Martin Sellner to announce a lawsuit filed as early as Monday.
Legal Challenge Against the European Commission
The legal confrontation began when the European Commission refused to register the citizens’ initiative, determining that its core tenets breach foundational EU anti-discrimination principles. According to the Commission’s decision issued on Thursday, the proposed suspension of migration channels relies on the ethnic, cultural, or civilisational origin of individuals rather than the mandatory case-by-case evaluation required under European law. Austrian activist Martin Sellner, the movement’s leader, stated that their legal team is prepared to file a lawsuit as early as Monday, arguing that the Commission acted against European law by preventing citizens from seeking specific measures through the formal petition process.
Core Demands of the Save Europe Act Campaign
The petition at the center of the dispute targets multiple legal entry routes and established residency statuses within member states. According to the campaign’s platform, the initiative demands a temporary suspension of non-Western immigration channels, specifically naming study and family reunification visas. Furthermore, the petition seeks the return to their countries of origin of irregular migrants alongside legally resident non-European nationals who are deemed unintegrated or characterized as a serious cultural or financial burden by member states.
Did you know? Under European Union rules, a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) that successfully achieves admissibility and gathers one million signatures from at least seven member states must be formally considered by EU institutions, including a mandatory hearing in the European Parliament.
Political Backing and Counter-Demonstrations
The “remigration” concept has secured public backing from several nationalist figures across the continent. According to the campaign’s website, the initiative is supported by Viktor Orbán, Santiago Abascal in Spain, George Simion in Romania, and Roberto Vannacci in Italy. The campaign reports having gathered nearly 600,000 signatures informally and staged a demonstration of approximately 200 supporters outside the European Parliament in Brussels. In response, Greens/EFA MEP Cristina Guarda, who described the petition as hate propaganda promoted by the far right, joined other lawmakers in staging a counter-demonstration outside the Parliament to coincide with the activists’ protest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the European Commission reject the Save Europe Act petition?
The Commission rejected the initiative because it argued the proposed measures would discriminate on the grounds of race and ethnic origin, running manifestly contrary to EU values and bypassing individual case-by-case assessments required by law.
What are the main demands of the campaign?
The campaign calls for a temporary suspension of non-Western study and family reunification visas, alongside the return of irregular migrants and legally resident non-European nationals deemed unintegrated or financial burdens.
Who supports the Save Europe Act initiative?
The campaign is backed by nationalist figures including Viktor Orbán, Santiago Abascal, George Simion, and Roberto Vannacci, according to the group’s website.
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