The politicisation of immigration: A comparative perspective in Europe and its neighbourhood

Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals nº. 140 (september 2025)

The politicisation of immigration –which both fuels and is fuelled by the rise of the extreme right– polarises political debate, creates confusion in the realm of public policy, stirs conflict at the local level and, ultimately, jeopardizes the functioning of our democracies. This issue analyses the causes and consequences of the politicisation of immigration, that is, why immigration has become such a central issue and what implications it carries. To this end, it goes beyond explanations that focus exclusively on the extreme right, as we understand that, although it is a key actor, it is not the only one. The comparison of the cases of Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Tunisia helps us discern how different political, socio-economic, and cultural contexts can lead to different forms of politicisation.

Keywords: politicisation, immigration, extreme right, narratives, Europe, Turkey, Tunisia

ISBN: 978-84-18977-34-3
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2025.140.2