Comparing the evolution of immigration policies, political context and public opinion in France, Germany and Italy

A comparison of the evolution of immigration policies in France, Germany and Italy, the three most populous European countries, is important to better understand the future challenges of the European integration process. We will provide an historical overview of immigration policies for the three countries, highlighting their different political scenarios and the way the European integration process has increasingly become a factor of convergence. Data from European Union statistical sources about the salience of immigration and the attitude of public opinion will be presented to show how the different degrees of insulation that in the three countries political elites have with respect to the public opinion may explain part of the difference between the adopted policies.