European Union leaders have reached a compromise on a long-delayed migration and asylum reform package, closing a difficult round of negotiations late Friday. The agreement comes after months of political friction over how to manage arrivals, share responsibility among member states, and speed up asylum decisions.

The timing is politically sensitive. Several EU countries are heading into key national elections, and far-right parties that campaign hard on migration are gaining momentum in the polls. That pressure has pushed migration back to the center of the bloc’s political debate, with governments under growing pressure to show stricter control and clearer procedures.

Supporters of the pact say the deal could help reduce gridlock and create a more coordinated response across the bloc. Critics, however, argue that tougher border measures and faster returns risk weakening protections for asylum seekers and increasing the burden on people fleeing conflict or persecution.

The compromise is likely to face further scrutiny as lawmakers and national governments move to turn it into policy. For now, it reflects a broader shift in European politics: migration remains one of the most divisive issues on the continent, and election anxieties are shaping the policy response.