The European Commission often finds itself alone in defending regular immigration, Vice President Margaritis Schinas said at a conference in Brussels on Thursday. “We need political support,” he stressed.
Legal immigration is a challenging discussion that Europe needs to have as its global population share shrinks, the European Commissioner stressed. According to the Commission’s data, it will stand at 4% in 2070, down from the current 6%. This is a source of concern, since Europe's low birth rate – insufficient to stabilise the population – and aging pose several problems, such as a labour shortage.
“Who will pay the taxes in the future? Who will enter the military? Ensure pensions? Tend to our lands?” Commissioner Schinas wondered. Two-thirds of European SMEs report a shortage of the skilled workforce they require, he noted.
“It’s a moment of truth; we need to bring in people,” Margaritis Schinas emphasised, noting that this immigration should be “orderly,” respecting inclusion and integration criteria while also countering human trafficking.
However, he stressed, “We (European Commission) often feel very alone in defending legal immigration. We need political backing, support from governments, social partners, the press, and the European Parliament.”
In November last, the European Commission suggested the establishment of a talent pool to connect European employers with job seekers from non-EU countries. “Purely due to demographic change, the Union will need seven million workers by 2030,” noted Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs.
As the European elections approach, immigration is a sensitive topic, with a rise in far-right parties expected.
In the Netherlands, a coalition of three parties with the radical right-wing party of populist Geert Wilders, known for its anti-immigration and Islamophobic stance, has just been formed.
