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On Sunday 20 May, the Palacio de Vistalegre hosted the annual VIVA 24 event, organised by VOX and ECR Party, which was attended by a dozen world leaders and international representatives, led by the Argentinean President Javier Milei. The event has generated unprecedented media coverage for Santiago Abascal’s party.
One of the most prominent debates was the one that addressed the issue of migration in Europe, entitled: “Efficient and humane, a conservative alternative to illegal immigration”. Participants in this round table included Adela Mîrza, President of the Alternative Right Party of Romania; Zvonimir Troskot, Member of the Croatian Parliament; and Rocío de Meer, a Member of VOX in Congress.
The debate began with a discussion on the main risks of migration. Troskot stressed that “migration trough the Balkans has been a hot topic in Croatia since 2015. Not only because of the migration crisis, but also because of national security”. He pointed out that migrants use Croatia as a passage to Slovenia, which generates a sense of insecurity among citizens. Troskot defended the “militarisation of the borders” as an effective measure to eradicate this insecurity.
Adela Mîrza, for her part, stressed that the main risks of immigration are “social and economic instability”. She questioned “what Europe will be like in 10 years’ time if uncontrolled border crossings continue to be allowed”, stressing that Europe is a “Christian continent” that must prioritise the preservation of its families and values before helping others. Mîrza said that” those who arrive must integrate and accept European values, and if they do not, they should leave”.
Rocio de Meer criticised the Spanish government for “indiscriminately opening the borders” and attracting hundreds of people with the false promise of a paradise. “The consequences of these uncontrolled migratory flows are suffered by Spaniards”, she said. De Meer stressed that it is not a question of “four refugees, but of hundreds of thousands of people with a model of massive and uncontrolled immigration that threatens collective identity and culture”. She also denounced the non-compliance with migration legislation, pointing out that “the boats intercepted should be taken to the nearest and safest port, but in reality, they go to the most European port”.
The debate also touched on the EU’s new migration pact. For Troskot, “this proposal is very dangerous for a small country like Croatia, warning that asylum policy in Europe is unclear and that accepting large numbers of people could jeopardise the very existence of the country within a decade.
Mîrza insisted on the “need to change illegal immigration into legal immigration, stressing that Europe must maintain three pillars: Law, order and compassion”. De Meer concluded that the European pact “falls far short” and that mechanisms are needed to radically protect borders.
All in all, it cannot be overlooked that the VIVA 24 event was held just one week before the start of the European election campaign, underlining the crucial importance of addressing the migration issue in this context.
The approaching European elections add a critical dimension to discussions on migration, as voters seek concrete solutions to the challenges facing Europe. The position of conservative leaders, such as those who participated in VIVA 24, reflects a growing demand for policies that not only protect borders, but also ensure the social cohesion and cultural identity of the continent. Addressing migration in an effective and humane manner has become a priority not only for the European elections campaign, but also for the future of the European Union, which needs to strengthen its capacity to respond to migration crises to maintain the trust of its citizens.
The event organised by VOX highlighted the growing concern among leaders about the challenges posed by uncontrolled migration in Europe. The voices of Adela Mîrza, Zvonimir Troskot and Rocio de Meer highlighted the need for stricter and more coherent migration policies that prioritise national security, economic stability, and the preservation of European cultural identity.