ILLEGAL immigration is a “blatant example of European powerlessness,” French conservative François-Xavier Bellamy, leader of the centre-right Les Républicains (LR) party list in the upcoming European parliament elections, said on Sunday
The French right-winger, whose party has called for increased border security, added that it was for migrants to adapt to the host culture, and not vice-versa.
“Confronted with massive migration flows, Europe chose re-distribution instead of choosing protection,” Mr Bellamy told Le Figaro newspaper. “What we are saying is simple: we want a double border.” The LR party has called for internal border controls to be permanently restored inside the passport-free Schengen zone, and for a reinforcement of the bloc’s external borders.
“We want to continue taking in those who need our help. But there is a difference [between welcoming refugees] and having your front door dented every single day."
Economic migration “distorts the meaning of asylum” and shrouds many asylum requests in suspicion, the parliamentary hopeful added.
He said: “European civilisation is in danger… There is no reason to ask the French to adapt to the culture of those who arrive: it is up to those who want to live in France and in Europe to adapt to the host culture.”
The EU has since tightened its external borders, turned more restrictive on granting asylum and struck deals with the likes of Turkey and Libya to keep migrants from crossing the Mediterranean sea.
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