The president of the European Commission floated a simple question today to the EU's member nations. "We are fighting against Islamic State, why are we not ready to accept those who are fleeing Islamic State?" asked Jean-Claude Juncker, per Al Jazeera America. After the scolding, Juncker called on the nations to accept another 120,000 refugees, with each nation getting a quota based on its size, unemployment rate, and other factors. Germany, for instance, would take in another 31,000, France 24,000, etc., reports the Guardian, which provides the full breakdown. That's on top of a previous goal of 40,000 refugees. The plan needs to be approved by a majority of EU governments, notes the Wall Street Journal.
"Europe today is an island of hope for the people in the Middle East fleeing war and oppression," says Juncker. "This is something to be proud of, not something to fear." The idea is to help frontline nations Greece, Italy, and Hungary handle the influx. The UK, Ireland, and Denmark wouldn't be legally bound to do so because they have opt-outs from the EU's asylum system, but they may do so anyway, reports the AP. EU interior ministers meet next week in Brussels and could approve the new quota system then. (More European Union stories.)
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