MEPs threaten legal action against EU over immigration

(STRASBOURG) - The European Parliament headed for collision with EU governments Tuesday, threatening legal action against the bloc for being stripped of powers over the running of the passport-free Schengen area.

A revolt across the political spectrum of the assembly's 752 MEPs may culminate Wednesday in a decision to lodge an appeal with the European Court of Justice over a decision by home affairs ministers to change the legal basis of the 26-nation Schengen area.

In a landmark move, ministers last week agreed countries be empowered to temporarily restore frontier checks in the borderless travel zone in case of a surge of illegal migrants.

But they removed parliament's right to take part in decisions on the monitoring of Schengen borders.

Conservative Joseph Daul, who heads the largest group in the parliament, told MEPs that he would in consequence boycott Denmark, which as current rotating EU president was deemed responsible for the move.

"The Danish presidency has broken a bond of trust with this parliament," he said.

Angry Socialist leader Hannes Swoboda said the ministers and the Danish presidency "have abused our trust".

"We will take all measures -- political and legal, via the European Court of Justice -- to oppose this decision," he said.

Former Belgian premier Guy Verhofstadt who heads the centre-right group said Britain, which had refused to join Schengen, would now have more power over the accord than the parliament.

"I think we are heading for a major crisis between governments and European institutions," warned Greens leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit.

Further information, European Parliament

Legislative Observatory file (internal border controls)

Legislative Observatory file (Schengen evaluation mechanism)