[Seminar] The European Commission’s response to national emergency regimes within the EU’s asylum policy

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming research seminar featuring Florian Trauner and Federica Zardo, who will present their recent paper entitled: “The European Commission’s response to national emergency regimes within the EU’s asylum policy: from rejection to accommodation”.

Abstract

National emergency laws restricting the entry of asylum seekers have become increasingly common across the European Union. This article investigates how the European Commission responds to such emergency regimes that derogate from EU asylum and migration law, and which combination of factors explains the variation in its responses.

Using a diverse case study design covering Austria, Hungary, and Poland since 2016, the study traces how the Commission’s response shifted from rejection to forbearance and ultimately to accommodation, leading to the partial Europeanisation of exceptional practices under the 2024 asylum reform package.

Building on research on legal forbearance and compliance, the article argues that the Commission’s behaviour depends not only on rational cost–benefit calculations but also on how it perceives the nature of each crisis, and the trust in the member state involved. The findings point to a broader institutional shift, as the Commission seeks to preserve its authority by redefining the boundaries of compliance.

About the Speakers

• Florian Trauner is Professor of Political Science and Dean of the Brussels School of Governance at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
• Federica Zardo is Senior Researcher at the Department of Migration and Globalisation at Danube University Krems and a Lecturer at the University of Vienna.

Discussant

• Juliette Dupont is a MSCA postdoctoral researcher from UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles

Practical Information

• Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
• Time: 12:30 PM -2:00PM (Lunch from 12:00 PM)
• Location: UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles, Préfecture Building, Room P02 for the seminar and P12 for the lunch
• Language: English

Participation is free, but registration is required.

Register here to attend the seminar (Registration Link)

Media: author Youtryandyoutry, source Wikimedia Commons