7. Political Mobilizations Regarding Refugees and Migrants: Poland, Germany, Spain, and Sweden

Post-colonial and guest-worker immigration from non-EU states, together with the refugee waves of the past decade, have become politicized issues in national and EU-level politics and led to the rise of populist politics based on years of policy neglect. Hence an increasing socio-political polarization over immigration, asylum, and citizenship emerged in EU member states, which weakens social cohesion and inclusion. This has led to racism and discrimination against migrants—especially if they are Muslim—in many areas of life and is reflected in lower educational attainments, lower job placement rates, and less political participation and representation. In addition, far-right parties and movements across Europe have used their presence to advance exclusive-nativist positions. The corresponding lack of inclusion is recognized by progressive CSOs that aim to support refugee reception and migrant integration, aid the state in service provision, and have become essential interlocutors co-determining the societal in/exclusion of those minorities. Using the Migrant Integration Policy Index, we trace the political mobilizations and highlight some of the most prevalent in/exclusion trends in the four case countries Poland, Germany, Spain, and Sweden.