Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker has called for tougher deportation policies, placing migration at the center of political debate after meeting Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset in Vienna on Thursday, according to Heute.
The meeting focused on the growing challenges of migration across Europe and the role of the European Convention on Human Rights in shaping how countries respond. As migration pressures continue to test governments, the discussion highlighted a key question: how to balance human rights with public safety.
Stocker welcomed the Council of Europe’s decision to engage in a debate he had earlier initiated alongside several European leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen. He described the Chişinău Declaration, adopted unanimously in May by all 46 member states, as a sign that momentum is building for change across the continent.
In his remarks, the Austrian chancellor argued that existing legal frameworks must be adjusted to reflect today’s realities. He stressed that foreign nationals who commit serious crimes and pose a danger to society should be deported without hesitation.
Stocker said it was unacceptable when deportations are blocked, allowing individuals who have misused Austria’s protection to remain in the country. In his view, laws must be interpreted in a way that protects the public and restores confidence in the rule of law.
He also renewed Austria’s call for asylum procedures and return centers in third countries, a proposal that has sparked debate within the European Union over its legal and ethical implications.
During his talks with Berset, Stocker emphasized the need for European governments to respond to citizens’ concerns while staying committed to democratic principles. He argued that effective solutions must address both security challenges and the expectations of voters.
The issue is expected to remain high on the agenda. Ahead of the next European Council meeting, a group of “like-minded” states now representing about two thirds of EU members will gather in Brussels next week to discuss concrete steps toward a stronger and more coordinated European migration policy.
