Juncker criticises successor’s ‘Protecting Our European Way of Life’ immigration job title

European Commission president says immigrants are part of European way of life

Jean-Claude Juncker with Ursula von der Leyen, his incoming replacement (EPA)

Jean-Claude Juncker has criticised the decision by his successor to appoint a “commissioner for protecting our European way of life” to set immigration policy.

The European Commission president echoed other critics of the job title, some of whom had accused incoming president Ursula von der Leyen of adopting “fascist rhetoric”.

The role’s moniker attracted criticism from NGOs and MEPs, who suggested that it implied that immigrants might be a threat to the European way of life.

“I don’t like the idea that the European way of life is opposed to migration,” Mr Juncker, whose term ends on Halloween, told broadcaster Euronews.

“Accepting those that come from far away is part of the European way of life.”

Mr Juncker said he knew that the office’s holder, Margaritis Schinas, did not consider migrants to be a threat to the European way of life.

There have been reports that Ms Von der Leyen is reconsidering the name of the job, though no formal announcement has been forthcoming.

It emerged on Thursday that the incoming president had been invited to explain herself to European parliament group leaders.

David Sassoli, the president of the European parliament, told reporters in Brussels that “political groups made some comments about the names of some portfolios” at a meeting.

“I took the liberty of getting in touch and asking Ms von der Leyen to come to the conference of presidents so she can listen to the views of the groups,” he said.

The controversial job was given to Margaritis Schinas, formerly the EU Commission’s chief spokesperson (EbS)

Mr Sassoli, who hails from the socialist group, added: “Probably in the rush to give names to these portfolios there was a slightly casual approach and we ended up with these rather curious names.”

The appointment of the new commission will be scrutinised by the European parliament in a series of hearings in the coming months, culminating in a vote on 23 October to approve it.

In the same interview with Euronews Mr Juncker opined on Brexit: “The British were told for more than 40 years that they were in but they didn’t want to share all the policies that have been decided.

“The British since the very beginning were part-time Europeans, what we need are full time Europeans.”