Wilfried Devillers (in Vienna), edited by Juliette Moreau Alvarez
No entry into the Schengen area for Romania and Bulgaria. In question: the veto of Austria, which fears a resurgence of migratory flows at the lifting of border controls. In the Austrian press as in the streets of Vienna, opinions differ on this decision of the State.
If Croatia enters the Schengen area and the euro zone on January 1, Bulgaria and Romania, on the other hand, will have to wait. At issue: Austria’s veto. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner opposed the integration of the two countries, citing the increase in asylum applications in Austria. He fears that the lifting of border controls will further increase the arrival of migrants on his territory. A decision that divides the media as much as the Austrians.
A “reasonable and satisfactory” decision
In the press, the file made the front page of certain newspapers. The conservative daily Die Press is concerned about a resurgence of migratory flows despite the refusal to integrate the two countries into the Schengen area. The columnist for Kronen Zeitung, the country’s most popular anti-European daily, stresses a reasonable and satisfactory decision. The populist tabloid notably published this Friday morning a complete file on the issues of immigration in Austria.
On the side of the centrist press, Der Standard sharply criticizes in its editorial the lack of openness and European spirit of the Austrian government, regretting that the request from Romania in particular has been rejected while the two countries maintain important links.
Divided opinions
In the streets of Vienna too, the subject divides. Before Austria released its veto, some said they feared for their jobs if Europe opened the door to Romania and Bulgaria. Others did not understand why their country was still blocking their entry into the Schengen area. What you have to understand all the same is that in the country, the main concern remains the war in Ukraine.