Manfred Weber, chair of the European People's Party (EPP), criticized Spain's migrant regularization plan, saying the program does not represent normal migration [1].
This criticism highlights a growing rift within the European Union regarding how member states handle undocumented residents. The debate centers on whether national regularization efforts encourage more illegal migration or provide a necessary legal pathway for existing residents.
Speaking in an interview broadcast on EuropeToday, Weber said the Spanish plan is "not normal" and that the EPP cannot accept it [1]. He said that the current approach to regularization in Spain deviates from standard migration protocols, a move he believes should be opposed [1].
According to data cited in the broadcast, the regularization plan has attracted approximately 1.3 million applications [1]. The volume of these requests underscores the scale of the undocumented population currently seeking legal status within the Spanish borders.
Weber said, "Sorry, that’s not normal migration" [1]. The EPP chair said that the nature of the plan fails to align with the party's vision for structured and legal immigration across the EU [1].
Spain has utilized regularization plans in the past to integrate foreign workers into the formal economy. However, the current scale of the program has drawn scrutiny from conservative leaders who said that such policies undermine EU-wide border security and migration laws [1].
“"Sorry, that’s not normal migration."”
The clash between the EPP and the Spanish government reflects a broader ideological struggle within the EU. While some member states prioritize the socio-economic integration of long-term undocumented residents, center-right factions like the EPP emphasize strict adherence to legal entry protocols to prevent 'pull factors' that might attract further irregular migration to Europe.
