Düsseldorf – ESI on Europe’s borders and the future of democracy

26 April 2024
Gerald with the chairman of the Dusseldorf Industrie-Club Düsseldorf
Gerald with the chairman of the Dusseldorf Industrie-Club Düsseldorf. Photo: Industrie-Club Düsseldorf

Gerald Knaus gave a keynote talk at the Industrie-Club Düsseldorf titled “Welches Europa brauchen wir? Grenzen und Demokratie”, or “Which Europe do we need? Borders and Democracy”.

In his talk, Gerald emphasized that irregular migration remains a major challenge for the EU and its member states. The ongoing failure to achieve a humane, sustainable solution to this challenge has fed the rise of right-wing populist parties with an illiberal vision for the continent. To prevent these parties from achieving their goal of eroding the constitutional state and liberal democracy, Gerald argued that we need a paradigm shift in migration policy.

Key measures of such a paradigm shift include robust support for Ukraine in defeating Russia’s invasion, increased solidarity with Ukrainian refugees in the EU and discouraging irregular migration to the EU. To achieve this, Gerald argued that Europe needs renewed cooperation with Turkey, strategic deportations according to deadlines, serious offers for legal migration and asylum procedures in Safe Third Countries