Key facts
- Manfred Weber, president of the European People's Party, stated EU climate policies must be "business-reasonable" and not harm industry.
- Weber criticized Spain's plan to regularize over one million undocumented migrants, arguing it could affect other EU countries.
- The EPP is calling to suspend the right to asylum in specific circumstances.
- Weber defended the EU's "return regulation" allowing return centres for irregular migrants outside the bloc.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People's Party (EPP), has emphasized that European Union climate policies must be balanced with business realities to prevent the "killing" of the bloc's industry. Speaking to Euronews, Weber stated that the EPP advocates for a common understanding to bring climate policy and economic competitiveness into balance. He also drew a parallel to personal energy use, noting the necessity of air conditioning, even if powered by fossil fuels, and highlighted the advantage of solar energy for such uses.
Weber also voiced criticism regarding Spain's large-scale plan to regularize over one million undocumented migrants. He expressed concern that such a significant legalization process could impact other EU countries, as regularized migrants would have the freedom to move across the bloc. Weber described the rapid legalization as "not a normal procedure."
Furthermore, Weber defended the EU's legislation that permits the establishment of return centres for irregular migrants outside the bloc. This legislation was recently approved by the European Parliament, despite criticisms concerning potential human rights violations. Weber indicated that partnerships with African and Middle Eastern countries could be pursued for these centres, but stressed that the decision rests with individual member states. The EPP has also adopted a resolution urging the European Commission to limit the right to asylum for certain groups of migrants, suggesting that member states should be granted the right to refuse asylum procedures at their borders in cases of "instrumentalisation" or when migrants enter from a "safe" third country.