Self-interested solidarity? A case study of Luxembourg's support for the refugee relocation mechanism during its EU Council Presidency in 2015
Author
Trausch, Nora Ann
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-10-16
Abstract
Specialet undersøger, hvorfor Luxembourg stærkt støttede EU's flygtninge-omfordelingsmekanisme under landets periode som roterende formand for Rådet for Den Europæiske Union i 2015. Omfordelingsmekanismen var en EU-ordning, der skulle fordele ansvaret for at modtage og behandle asylansøgere mere ligeligt mellem medlemslandene. Med et dybdegående casestudie, der bygger på eksisterende teori, kombinerer studiet to perspektiver: liberal intergovernmentalisme (at EU-beslutninger afspejler nationale interesser, der forhandles mellem regeringer) og småstaters status-søgning (hvordan mindre lande forsøger at opbygge indflydelse og omdømme). Resultaterne viser, at Luxembourgs økonomi er afhængig af et stærkt, integreret EU og af at bevare Schengen-området med pasfri bevægelighed. Derfor optrådte landet som en pålidelig partner og mediator i forhandlingerne om omfordelingsordningen og trak på sin "moralske autoritet" for at overbevise andre - eksempler på blød magt frem for tvang. Disse tiltag svarer til en strategi for status-søgning. Selv om nuancerne i status-søgning kræver yderligere undersøgelser, konkluderer specialet, at Luxembourgs position var udtryk for pragmatisk støtte til EU-integration og bevidst brug af blød magt i EU.
This thesis explores why Luxembourg strongly backed the EU's refugee relocation mechanism during its 2015 term holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. The relocation mechanism was an EU plan to share responsibility for processing asylum seekers more evenly among member states. Using an in-depth case study guided by existing theory, the study combines two perspectives: liberal intergovernmentalism (the idea that EU outcomes reflect national interests negotiated between governments) and small-state status seeking (how smaller countries work to build influence and reputation). The findings show that Luxembourg's economic model depends on a strong, integrated EU and on keeping the Schengen area of passport-free movement intact. The country therefore acted as a reliable partner and mediator in negotiations on the relocation plan and drew on its "moral authority" to persuade others - examples of soft power rather than coercion. These tactics align with a status-seeking strategy. While the subtleties of status seeking deserve further research, the study concludes that Luxembourg's stance reflected pragmatic support for deeper EU integration and deliberate use of soft power within the EU.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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