Fence or no fence? That was the question at the recent EU summit. As reported, the Heads of State and Government have agreed on a compromise on migration policy. More attention will be paid to better protection of the external borders. However, the concrete financing of a border fence was not mentioned.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer had previously spoken in favor of building a fence. He now replies to critics: “The joint statement also does not mention that a fence should not be built!” The long-standing head of the refugee camp in Traiskirchen (Lower Austria), Franz Schabhüttl, considers Nehammer’s line a success: “Now it was decided for the first time to secure and also finance the EU borders.”
Border fences will be necessary in the future
In addition, expert Schabhüttl emphasizes that border fences will be necessary in the future and not – as ex-SPÖ chancellor Werner Faymann flippantly said in 2015 – “a door with two side parts” will suffice. According to the current integration barometer, Austrians are more concerned about a new wave of refugees than they were eight years ago.
In particular, concerns about the integration of immigrants and the fear of conflicts between migrant groups and the spread of political Islam have increased sharply: more than a third (36 percent) of those surveyed fear this.
Two-thirds feel parallel societies
Even 69 percent of citizens believe that there are parallel societies in Austria. “The integration barometer is a seismograph of the mood of the population on integration and migration issues. That is why Europe must work together to stop illegal migration,” said Integration Minister Susanne Raab.
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.