How is the Influx of Migrants and Refugees into the European Union Straining European Cooperation?

As the refugee crisis deepens and more migrants and refugees arrive each day, political policies and economic discussion becomes more complex and relevant to states’ local and national agendas. Compounding the practical difficulties associated with this influx, terrorist attacks in Paris, unequal refugee and migrant diffusion throughout the European Union, and economic imbalance among member states in general has provoked nationalist rhetoric within different far-right movements and parties. This paper identifies common problems among EU member states in regards to their handling of the refugee crisis. Particularly, it considers the rise of far-right movements in Poland, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Secondly, by analyzing the situation, this paper offers a policy recommendation which proposes a new type of institution that would enhance the way that European Union member states respond to refugee/migration crises. This type of institution would help member states in registering, categorizing, and providing refugees and migrants with adequate access to healthcare, education and other social services required by them. However, member states would be required to delegate more power or allow more authority to this European Union sub-committee to respond to the crisis on behalf of member states – which represents one of the biggest political challenges. Thirdly, this paper examines the financial and political implications of the creation of this sub-committee and proposes a strategy on how the challenges faced in forming said committee can be overcome.