Juncker criticises successor’s ‘Protecting Our European Way of Life’ immigration job title
European Commission president says immigrants are part of European way of life
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jean-Claude Juncker has criticised the decision by his successor to appoint a “commissioner for protecting our European way of life” to set immigration policy.
The European Commission president echoed other critics of the job title, some of whom had accused incoming president Ursula von der Leyen of adopting “fascist rhetoric”.
The role’s moniker attracted criticism from NGOs and MEPs, who suggested that it implied that immigrants might be a threat to the European way of life.
“I don’t like the idea that the European way of life is opposed to migration,” Mr Juncker, whose term ends on Halloween, told broadcaster Euronews.
“Accepting those that come from far away is part of the European way of life.”
Mr Juncker said he knew that the office’s holder, Margaritis Schinas, did not consider migrants to be a threat to the European way of life.
There have been reports that Ms Von der Leyen is reconsidering the name of the job, though no formal announcement has been forthcoming.
It emerged on Thursday that the incoming president had been invited to explain herself to European parliament group leaders.
David Sassoli, the president of the European parliament, told reporters in Brussels that “political groups made some comments about the names of some portfolios” at a meeting.
“I took the liberty of getting in touch and asking Ms von der Leyen to come to the conference of presidents so she can listen to the views of the groups,” he said.
Mr Sassoli, who hails from the socialist group, added: “Probably in the rush to give names to these portfolios there was a slightly casual approach and we ended up with these rather curious names.”
The appointment of the new commission will be scrutinised by the European parliament in a series of hearings in the coming months, culminating in a vote on 23 October to approve it.
In the same interview with Euronews Mr Juncker opined on Brexit: “The British were told for more than 40 years that they were in but they didn’t want to share all the policies that have been decided.
“The British since the very beginning were part-time Europeans, what we need are full time Europeans.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments