Nehammer on migration: question of fate for the EU!

Nehammer on migration: question of fate for the EU!

Karl Nehammer, the former Chancellor of Austria, surprised people on Thursday with an insightful appearance at the Munich Security Conference. This was his first public appearance since his resignation on January 10, 2025 after failed coalition negotiations. In his impassioned speech, he characterized migration as a “question of fate for the European Union”, which can lead to both a weakening and a strengthening of the EU today.at reported. Nehammer emphasized that the existing regulations of the Geneva Refugee Convention no longer correspond to the realities of international refugee movements. The excessive demands placed on the political systems lead to radicalization and a loss of trust in the “orderly competence” of democracy.

Nehammer calls for concrete reforms

The ex-chancellor, emotional and forceful, called for a fundamental reform of refugee policy in order to regain citizens' trust in state institutions. He criticized the excessive regulation in many areas of life during the corona pandemic and noted that people feel a sense of insecurity in the context of migration. “We have to move away from the moral claim of what is good and move towards the pragmatic,” explained Nehammer, making it clear that the EU and the member states must regain their “authority” in order to offer citizens security. This is important not only in terms of migration, but also in the context of threats such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, which he identified as systemic risks.

Nehammer argued that the EU states should forego national concerns and instead work together constructively on the matter oe24.at presented in detail. He warned of the polarization in political discourse and emphasized the need to take all threats seriously in order not to endanger the stability of the Union. It is important to understand conflicts as part of a larger system and to work together to find solutions instead of just focusing on individual problems. Nehammer’s words illustrate the challenges facing European politics and the urgent need for action to secure the future of the EU.