"Schengen has failed"

ÖVP: Stop illegal migration at external borders

The ÖVP is taking a hard line against illegal migration in the EU election campaign. In the migration chapter of the election program, asylum procedures and deportations to safe third countries are mentioned as a goal. The aim is to prevent people from making the dangerous journey to Europe, it says. The party wants to increase the budget, personnel and competencies of the EU border protection agency Frontex, and family reunification is to be handled more strictly.

According to the People's Party, deportations to safe third countries should affect those who cannot be deported to their home country despite a negative asylum decision, in particular asylum seekers who have committed crimes.

Asylum procedures in third countries
Asylum procedures in third countries should also be possible if the persons concerned have no connection to the countries. The ÖVP only wants to disburse EU funds for development cooperation if countries cooperate sufficiently to reduce migration.

"A Europe that protects!"
The People's Party believes that the Schengen system has failed and that illegal migration must therefore be stopped at the external borders, according to the chapter entitled "A Europe that protects". More personnel and infrastructure for external border protection and cross-border police cooperation should be used to combat smuggling networks. EU funds are also to be made available for border protection measures at the EU's external border - to build fences or border surveillance measures, among other things.

The ÖVP would also like to equip Frontex with the ability to carry out repatriations from third countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina. If attempts are made to destabilize Europe through illegal migration flows from third countries, the EU must in future be able to use means such as turning back these migrants at the external border.

ÖVP for stricter rules on family reunification
The ÖVP would also like to see stricter rules on family reunification at EU level. Persons entitled to asylum in Austria should be able to provide financially for themselves and their family if they apply for family reunification. This obligation does not currently exist in the first three months after being granted status.

Election program to be presented on Monday
Top candidate Reinhold Lopatka and General Secretary Christian Stocker will present the contents of the election program and the election posters on Monday. The ÖVP will present itself as a European party in Austria that does not long for either the "United States of Europe" desired by the NEOS or the "Öxit", it was said in advance.

ÖVP EU lead candidate Reinhold Lopatka(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

"Under no circumstances should we jeopardize our prosperity and our security with the FPÖ's constant talk of Öxit," said Lopatka. He wants to "declare war on those forces in Europe that do not want to improve Europe, but destroy it."