Former ÖVP commissioner Franz Fischler criticizes Austria’s veto against Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), on the other hand, vehemently defends his line.
Austria’s veto against Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen has sparked widespread anger. Romanians led by right-wing extremist George Simion demonstrated on Friday evening in front of the Austrian embassy. Only a large contingent of police could prevent riots. Boycott calls against Austrian companies are piling up. The veto as a means of pressure against illegal migration – this method divides.
ÖVP chancellor Karl Nehammer blames the “failed EU asylum policy” for this situation. “Even though there is an attempt to build pressure here through threats and polemical arguments, the facts speak for themselves.”
Exactly these facts are interpreted differently by the experts. Migration researcher Gerald Knaus locates the largest disturbance in Hungary. “Hungary is violating EU law and that is why Frontex has ended its presence,” says Knaus. The analysis of Gerald Tatzgern, head of anti-smuggling, is different: “Both Romania and Bulgaria are part of the smuggling routes that affect Austria.”
“No ties with refugees”
According to this report, 78 percent of Afghans list Bulgaria as the first EU country, as do two-thirds of Moroccans. 50 percent of Bangladeshi people say they have traveled via Romania. From 1 January, no Indians will be allowed to enter the country without a visa, at least not via Serbia.
Ex-EU Commissioner and ÖVP politician Franz Fischler assesses the ÖVP tactic towards the “Krone” as problematic: “The problem is: there is no direct connection between the Schengen blockade and the many illegal refugees. It is assumed that the veto can be used to put pressure on the other Member States to solve the problem. Something like that is necessary. But the choice of means caused resentment and resentment.
There is also resentment within social democracy. SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner supports the veto course of the ÖVP. That earned her an excavation of Christian Kern. He expects Rendi to change her attitude 180 degrees lest she become an accomplice to “populist stupidity”.
Conclusion: for now, the veto only smashed porcelain.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
